Has Carmelo Anthony played his last game as a Rocket? That鈥檚 the question on everybody鈥檚 minds following a tumultuous weekend in which he found himself in the crosshairs of critics and fans alike. If so, it will signify a new low for the 10-time All-Star. After posting his worst numbers since being chosen third overall in the 2003 draft, he agreed to be traded to the lowly Hawks and then waived in a classic 鈥渙ne step back, two steps forward鈥 move. He then joined the Houston Rockets for their 2018-19 campaign in an bid to ride a wave that hitherto had them two quarters away from a Finals stint. Instead, they regressed, and how, and fingers are being pointed in his direction.
Head coach Mike D鈥橝ntoni and general manager Daryl Morey are right, of course. Pinning the blame for the Rockets鈥 poor 4-7 start solely on Anthony is unfair. After all, free agency saw the departures of wingmen Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, two stalwarts critical to the success of their switch-all and -always defensive strategy. Then again, there can be no disputing the numbers; they鈥檙e eight points worse per 100 possessions when he鈥檚 burning rubber on the court than when he鈥檚 twiddling his thumbs on the bench, and his career-low offensive norms tell just part of the story.
Make no mistake. Anthony wanted to make his time with the Rockets work. Before committing to the cause of the red and white, he had extensive discussions with D鈥橝ntoni and Morey regarding his contributions moving forward. And, upon prodding from resident stars, including close friend Chris Paul, he prepped himself for a role as a full-time substitute, called upon to greet opening tips only when the roster is depleted due to injury. And heading into the season, he was in high spirits, convinced that the arrangement would lead to mutual satisfaction.
Unfortunately, the Rockets hit a snag from the get-go, and because Anthony鈥檚 presence was the single most prominent difference year on year, speculation began on whether he would truly be a good fit despite his willingness to make the necessary sacrifices. And, notwithstanding a favorable turn in their schedule that enabled them to string together three victories, it intensified over time. And, internally, it reached a crescendo after they succumbed by a whopping 18 to the Thunder late last week; through the match in which the hosts played without top dog Russell Westbrook, he posted an atrocious minus-22 line and could do no better than make a single field goal out of 11 attempts.
At that point, the situation had become so bad that Anthony then wound up being out of the lineup against the Spurs due to an 鈥渋llness.鈥 Never mind that he participated in full-contact practice the day before the contest. Yesterday, the same 鈥渋llness鈥 sidelined him anew while the Rockets carved an easy triumph over the Indiana Pacers. And, under the circumstances, it bears noting that the way D鈥橝ntoni and Morey have been addressing scribes鈥 queries isn鈥檛 helping. They鈥檙e coating their replies with compliments on how 鈥渉e鈥檚 been great with us,鈥 but at the same time acknowledging that 鈥渨e鈥檙e evaluating everything.鈥
If reports are true, Anthony would do well to steel himself for one of two things: even less playing time with the Rockets or in the market looking for another employer. He鈥檚 signed for the veteran鈥檚 minimum of $2.4 million, so it won鈥檛 be a big financial strain either way. Rather, the hit will be on his reputation. He knows it. And his buddies know it, too; banana boat mate Dwyane Wade could not help but tweet about how he was being made 鈥渢he fall guy.鈥
It鈥檚 too bad, really, because Anthony deserves better. Of course, the Rockets do as well — which is why they鈥檒l proceed in a manner they deem best for their competitiveness. In an environment where the best of the best have managed to get even better, they don鈥檛 do themselves any favors by staying put, let alone by giving up ground. It鈥檚 why they took a gamble on him, and why they may ultimately have to accept that they lost.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
