Carmelo Anthony came off the bench regularly for the Trail Blazers last season and he’s willing to do the same with the Lakers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes.
Like numerous free agent additions on the roster, Anthony signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Lakers with the aim of finally winning a championship ring.
“I’ve had experience being a starter for 18, 17 years and had an experience of coming off the bench for one year,” Anthony said. “It’s not something I think about.”
During the 2018/19 season, Anthony played just 10 games with Houston because he was unhappy with a bench role. He started regularly in 2019/20 after signing with Portland but accepted a second-unit role last season. He only started three of 69 regular-season games.
He’s willing to do whatever coach Frank Vogel asks of him this season.
“Whatever he wants, let’s do it,” Anthony said. “I’m not even trippin’ about that at this point. Because let’s go. Let’s go win.”
Trevor Ariza is the current favorite to join Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the starting frontcourt. Anthony, who averaged 13.4 PPG in 24.5 MPG last season, is projected to be the primary backup at power forward.
“When we spoke before he signed here, I told him that I envisioned a big role on this team,” Vogel said. “I don’t know what that’s going to look like, whether he’s going to start, whether he’s going to come off the bench, but that he’s going to be a factor for us.”
His response should have been more clear and direct which is that he is NOT a starter and just a role player at this stage of his career, and hope to contribute in any way on and off the bench. He has done an admirable job in Portland, but I dont understand why Lakers are marketing him as one of their stars when he is no different than Howard or Rondo.
He was excellent offensively in some of his games last yr, but what was impressive was Melo playing defense and getting other players involved. When he starts to get big head, then it gets ugly for Melo.
Carmelo with Lebron, AD, Rondo starting is a solid starting unit. He’s going to win games for them. I’m a Knicks fan and aCarmelo fan so although I’m a Lebron hater, if they win the chip this season I’ll be happy for Melo!
Rondo not starting with Russ there. Rondo most likely 3rd string
Karl Malone / Gary Payton circa 2003/4.
Same thing. Aging star past his prime trying to get a ring in his last year or 2.
I would like this site to run this poll:
How many Lakers will play over 40 games this year?
All of them
If not most . Melo off the bench had 60+ games only ones that had any real injuries was ad and lebron
Melo could have been one of all time greats. If he had the Mamba mentality. He was happy being the guy. And didn’t want anyone taking the spotlight from him. Happy to lose as long as he was the star of team. This is who Harden is now. He still can’t just talk about just helping his team win. Could never root for guy like this. Truth is Lakers just need him to give them offense off the bench 20-25 mins. Unfortunately he will give it back on defensive end.
Melo will block shots believe that. Underrated
Block his teammates from getting shots….
Harden was that way in Houston. You can also include Westbrook.
@Knickerbocker
So the “mamba mentality” was to share the ball with your teammates?.Ask Shaq about that fam. Yeezus. As for Harden, didn’t he LEAVE a team he felt couldn’t win to join KD, Kyrie and a very good bench and considered favorites? Clearly Harden is looking to win and certainly he knew he wasn’t the most important player on the team. You are so off sometimes.
It a no brainer. Dude had one of his best seasons shooting wise off the bench. That what he should do. He our 6th man.
He should be no more than 8th or 9th off the bench. Otherwise, Lakers are in trouble.
That guy is high as a kite all day of course he doesn’t care. If he didn’t have someone drive him to the arena each day he’d never show up
lol, i read the headline as he’s not concerned about cinnamon rolls.
Oh he cares about those!
The way I see it Now he might have too many minutes on his plate so No concern w role, these guys want minutes more in the end –
Ariza and AD will do quite a bit of sitting year round
He’s going to do a lot of catch N shooting for this team, shouldn’t have to put the ball on the floor all that much with how the offence will be constructed