Thunderous Intentions
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Carmelo Anthony 2017-18 player preview: Melo Unleashed

By Lawrence George

TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Carmelo Anthony
TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: Carmelo Anthony /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 10: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 10, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 10: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on October 10, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jab step, pump fake, score

After years of rejecting the move, Melo finally accepted his role as a power forward. Like all great scorers, Anthony has levitated more toward the post as his athleticism waned – that’s to be expected since he will turn 34 this season. Melo is the king of the jab step and pump fake. He puts opposing players on tilt, regularly beating them off the dribble or drawing fouls.

In the preseason match up against the Houston Rockets, Melo toyed with Ryan Anderson. In 20 minutes, Melo scored 19 points on 7-13 shooting.

Yes, Anderson is the James Harden of defensive power forwards, but great players take advantage of mismatches. At 6’8 240 pounds with his offensive skill, Anthony is a load in the post no matter who is guarding him.

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This is something Thunder fans will regularly see as he will pose plenty of match up issues throughout the year. Against traditional power forwards, he is going to pump fake or jab step the life out of them. When posting up guards or small forwards, Anthony will force his way to the cup using his size and strength.

Melo’s jab step is one of a kind. He is savvy with the ball and manipulates opposing defenses with his excellent footwork. OKC would be foolish not to utilize his post game, particularly when teams deploy small-ball 4’s.

Look to pass

While he hasn’t necessary set the world alight with his 3.1 assists per game over his career, coach Billy Donovan believes Anthony is underrated as a passer. With this in mind, I suspect Donovan will use Anthony as a ball handler on the block the way he did Enes Kanter.

Since Anthony receives so much respect, opposing players will ball watch, providing OKC with a number of off-ball cuts to the hoop for easy dunks or lay-ups. As long as Melo doesn’t become tunnel visioned, this could be a serious weapon for the Thunder.

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