Carmelo Anthony didn’t know how long it would take to regain his rhythm after a long post-surgery layoff.

Apparently it’s going to take longer than five games. Anthony isn’t frustrated, but he’s shooting just 36.5 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range so far this season.

Anthony had 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in the New York Knicks' 96-86 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. But Anthony shot 6-for-18 and knows he can be more effective.

If only Anthony could play Jared Dudley more often. Anthony’s best game thus far was against Dudley and the Wizards, who watched the Knicks All-Star explode for 37 points while shooting 11-of-18 overall and 4-of-5 from behind the arc.

Fueled by Dudley’s comments in May that Anthony is overrated, the Knicks forward shot like vintage Melo in that game.

Outside of that game on Halloween, though, Anthony is shooting only 24-of-78 (30.7 percent) overall in his four other games, well below his career shooting percentage of 45.4.

Anthony has never gone as long as he did without playing basketball as he did after last season's knee surgery.

“Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect,” Anthony said of how he would play after surgery. “Kind of first time experiencing this and going through it and dealing with day by day now.”

Knicks head coach Derek Fisher says his star player is not only adjusting to playing after surgery but is also learning new teammates as well.

“At times, it’s a combination of getting physically back to top form,” Fisher said. “(And) trying to balance new teammates and how does Kristaps (Porzingis) fit out there, how does Robin (Lopez) fit out there, finishing the game with sometimes Jerian (Grant), sometimes Langston (Galloway), starting with Sasha (Vujacic). All these are different things that he’s adjusting to. I don’t think it’s just about the legs, but that’s for sure a part of it.”

For now, Anthony continues to build his leg strength back up and watch film to see how he’s shooting.

“The mechanics are there,” Anthony said. “Just that lift, power coming back to game shape, game form.”

“It’s just legs,” he added. “The shot is right there. Some of them I’m shooting them long, some I’m shooting short. It’s just about getting that rhythm.”

In all honesty, he should take a hiatus from basketball, maybe consider some Zen Buddhism and read "11 Rings"... just get away and let his legs restore in time for the trade deadline. Maybe try some Peyote and do some Yoga in Phil's Montana ranch for a month or two.

When he's in good spirits, maybe he'll contemplate waiving the no trade clause, and everyone will be happier for it.

SwishAndDish13 wrote:There really needs to be more policing of this nonsense by the mods. It's getting annoying and played out. Not the slightest bit constructive. Basically killing the forum by hijacking almost every thread with some sort of Melo rant.

There may need to be a dedicated Melo thread which all the whining can be funneled to.

newyorknewyork wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:There really needs to be more policing of this nonsense by the mods. It's getting annoying and played out. Not the slightest bit constructive. Basically killing the forum by hijacking almost every thread with some sort of Melo rant.

There may need to be a dedicated Melo thread which all the whining can be funneled to.

He's hurting the team the same way Kobe hurts the Lakers playing with no legs.

Speaking of Kobe:

CrushAlot wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

SwishAndDish13 wrote:There really needs to be more policing of this nonsense by the mods. It's getting annoying and played out. Not the slightest bit constructive. Basically killing the forum by hijacking almost every thread with some sort of Melo rant.

There may need to be a dedicated Melo thread which all the whining can be funneled to.

That is a great idea. It would allow for actual talk about the team, players, coaches etc. I think one of the other Knick sites, Knicksonline has that. You can find TKF there if you are interested.

+1 - There needs to be a dedicated thread for this. It is needed. This is out of hand. Just spam at this point.

bigbasketballs wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:What did I say wrong? If the guy has no legs, rest up and come back when you do right?

Not a matter of strength. Matter of strengths in games and you get that back while you get healthier and get your legs back on the floor.

It WILL be a process that involves playing time now or later.

And what you said wrong is something YOU KNOW won't happen. So what's the point of saying it?

Fisher said he'd rest Melo during this season for entire games. Why not sooner?

ChuckBuck wrote:

bigbasketballs wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:What did I say wrong? If the guy has no legs, rest up and come back when you do right?

Not a matter of strength. Matter of strengths in games and you get that back while you get healthier and get your legs back on the floor.

It WILL be a process that involves playing time now or later.

And what you said wrong is something YOU KNOW won't happen. So what's the point of saying it?

Fisher said he'd rest Melo during this season for entire games. Why not sooner?

Because it serves two different purposes. One is not to overextend the knee so it doesn't get reinsured. I assume Fisher means back-to-backs in 3 games in 4 night situations (assuming you're paraphrasing him accurately)

What you're talking about is a process of rebuilding his legs back up as a whole, which is a totally different thing.

Why do you keep asking question you (should) already know the answer to?

ChuckBuck wrote:What did I say wrong? If the guy has no legs, rest up and come back when you do right?

He's hurting the team the same way Kobe hurts the Lakers playing with no legs.

Speaking of Kobe:

You get your legs back by playing at game speed. It takes time. Resting doesn't solve the issue. If you lift once and are sore the next day, do you stop lifting until you are no longer sore? I can tell you don't play or never really have played organized basketball by these comments.

ChuckBuck wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:What did I say wrong? If the guy has no legs, rest up and come back when you do right?

He's hurting the team the same way Kobe hurts the Lakers playing with no legs.

Speaking of Kobe:

You get your legs back by playing at game speed. It takes time. Resting doesn't solve the issue. If you lift once and are sore the next day, do you stop lifting until you are no longer sore? I can tell you don't play or never really have played organized basketball by these comments.

How many more games do the Knicks have to endure of this poor play then?

Will he starting hitting shots finally when they're too far out of contention?

Signed through 2018=19. Potentially up to 324 more, including 78 this season.

I'll ask again in what universe do you envision the NY Knicks sitting Carmelo Anthony and is this forum the Stargate to that universe?

dk7th wrote:

bigbasketballs wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:What did I say wrong? If the guy has no legs, rest up and come back when you do right?

He's hurting the team the same way Kobe hurts the Lakers playing with no legs.

Speaking of Kobe:

You get your legs back by playing at game speed. It takes time. Resting doesn't solve the issue. If you lift once and are sore the next day, do you stop lifting until you are no longer sore? I can tell you don't play or never really have played organized basketball by these comments.

How many more games do the Knicks have to endure of this poor play then?

Will he starting hitting shots finally when they're too far out of contention?

Signed through 2018=19. Potentially up to 324 more, including 78 this season.

I'll ask again in what universe do you envision the NY Knicks sitting Carmelo Anthony and is this forum the Stargate to that universe?

(2)and you (fisher) yank him when he takes two bad shots in a row by calling a face-saving timeout. he does that often enough. play hard but learn how to play smart and change behavior patterns. you do that by sitting him. maybe he will get the message and tighten up his game, which is not tight at all.

You KNOW that will not happen.

Again, why are fans so fixated on calling for things they know won't occur?