Carmelo named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Updated: Apr 04, 2011 03:53 PM
By Alan Hahn

The NBA named Carmelo Anthony the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Anthony averaged a league-best 34.3 points per game and also had 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in what was a 3-0 week (Monday to Sunday) for the Knicks.

The league based the award strictly on basketball, but, really, Carmelo's had a hell of a week overall:

* - Monday: had 39 points against Orlando to lead the Knicks to a win that snapped a six-game losing streak

* - Tuesday: unvieled a 124-foot billboard with his likeness at 33rd Street and Ninth Avenue, as part of a new deal he signed with Boost Mobile

* - Wednesday: again scored 39 points, this time in a win over the Nets.

* - Thursday: filmed a scene with teammate Amar'e Stoudemire (and Grover) for Sesame Street.

* - Friday: had a light practice, which, of course, are the best kind of practices

* - Saturday: made two appearances on Saturday Night Live, including one in drag as female shot putter "Carmela St. Knix."

* - Sunday: scored 25 points against the Cavaliers in Knicks' third straight win, which clinched a playoff berth.

Anthony is the second Knick to earn Player of the Week honors this season, joining Stoudemire, who twice won it earlier in the season.

Prior to this season, only three other times have the Knicks had two different players earn Player of the Week honors in the same season. The most recent was in 2008-09, with Al Harrington (12/14/08) and David Lee (2/1/09) and before then in 2003-04 with Dikembe Mutombo (11/30/03) and Stephon Marbury (1/18/04). The first time was in 1991-92, with Patrick Ewing (1/6/92) and Mark Jackson (3/30/92).

They are missed.

misterearl wrote:"On Monday, Anthony paid tribute to the players who were traded for him — Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton — “the guys who established that foundation for us to be in this situation.” The statement was classy, but also accurate. The pretrade Knicks were two games over .500, providing the buffer that the post-trade Knicks needed to clinch the playoff bid.

The Anthony-led Knicks have yet to play with the sort of fluidity, selflessness and aesthetic joy that the Stoudemire-led Knicks displayed before the trade. That team was not dominant by any stretch, but it had an identifiable star, a willing supporting cast and a clearly defined mission. The Knicks kept the ball moving and the pace frantic. At their best, they won 13 of 14 games and pushed seven games over .500.

They were young and evolving, which made their triumphs all the more enjoyable for a long-suffering fan base. When the Knicks acquired Anthony, they traded youth for experience and modest hopes for unreasonable expectations — as if the mere appearance of two star players would ensure instant title contention.

In all likelihood, the Stoudemire-Anthony Knicks will lose in the first round, just as the pretrade Knicks would have. But one imagines that Gallinari and Chandler would have exulted a little upon clinching their first playoff berth and that the Garden might have enjoyed a little exhilaration, rather than simple relief."

- Howard Beck, NYT

Beck go it right. Classy statement and knick likely to get bounced in round 1.

That said, I think this team -- if Billups is healthy -- is better-suited for the postseason than the pre-trade team. We've got three key starters with plenty of playoff experience. And I like what Shelden Williams is now bringing to the table.

I'm not going to predict a first-round upset, but if I were a high seed not sure I'd be thrilled with facing Amare, Melo and Billups right off the bat.

orangeblobman wrote:eastern player of the weak means nothing without good hoops, and the knicks, they play garbage hoops, lots of losing, like bums

"... and the Drama Queen Award goes to..."

Garbage hoops? Not really. The nouveau Knicks are simply s pickup squad. It is what it is. Basketball kung-fu masters understand the time required to achieve cohesion and intuitive rhythm on the court. No need for the Fox News insults.

All things in time grasshopper.

misterearl wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:eastern player of the weak means nothing without good hoops, and the knicks, they play garbage hoops, lots of losing, like bums

"... and the Drama Queen Award goes to..."

Garbage hoops? Not really. The nouveau Knicks are simply s pickup squad. It is what it is. Basketball kung-fu masters understand the time required to achieve cohesion and intuitive rhythm on the court. No need for the Fox News insults.

All things in time grasshopper.

ROFL, a classic OBM smack down. Although, at times since the trade, I'd agree with Blob's assessment. More recently, however, they look like a playoff team. Let's hope Melo continues to bring that defensive intensity he showed in the last three games. It's a massive lift for our team and makes ALL the difference in winning.

misterearl wrote:

Marv wrote:congrats carmelo. WELL deserved.

Marv - I have a feeling it won't be his last POTW.

Carmelo is a rare talent who can elevate to the occasion. Yes, he makes it look too easy which drives the "effort" people crazy. He smiles ON the basketball court?

"blasphemy I tell you, how DARE he smile!?"

Rumble young man rumble.

Yeah, man. The effort people suck. Just because you're trying hard and you need everyone to notice it doesn't mean your GOOD.

I'm all for efficiency. As long as Melo helps us win games he doesn't even have to break a sweat as far as I'm concerned.

CrushAlot wrote:I am psyched for Carmelo but this trade was still too one sided in my opinion. Melo gets player of the week, the Nuggets have the best defense in the league since the trade and the best offense in the league and Karl is being touted as COY. Player of the week awards are nice but there is a lot more good going on in Denver and I don't think it had to be that way.

Yeah and that lopsided trade is brought to you by our fearless owner Dolan At this point I try not to think about that anymore. We made the deal and just need to upgrade the roster now and there are gonna be options to make that happen, even if somewhat limited now. A little cap space, maybe buy some picks and we should be able to get something done.