by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
The first month of the season has yet to be completed, and the campaign to get Carmelo Anthony the first MVP award of his NBA career is already out in full force.
Most of the propaganda is emanating from the New York Knicks’ locker room, where teammates feel that ‘Melo is a completely different (and better) player this season.
The squad’s most famous fan, for what that’s worth, is also totally in the bag for Anthony.
Per the NY Post and Yahoo! Sports:
Tyson Chandler is banging the drums for Anthony’s MVP candidacy, saying Tuesday night he should be “at the top of the race’’ because of the Knicks’ record. […] “He’s a completely different player this year,” Chandler said. “I think the USA (Olympic) experience did wonders for him being around those guys. I think he’s hungry to take it to the next level and win … He’s been at an incredibly high level his entire career as far as individual accomplishments,’’ Chandler said. “He’s ready to take it to the next level of leadership and winning. He’s doing all the little things it takes to actually win, practicing hard, focused on shootaround, playing defense, communicating on the basketball floor. He’s a real leader out there and it’s fun to watch.’’
Anthony credits Knicks coach Mike Woodson for bringing a more disciplined mindset to the team since he replaced Mike D’Antoni in March. “I know I can do [play defense],” Anthony said. “It’s not a matter of me not being able to do it. It was me just saying, ‘OK, I’m going to do it now.’ We have a coach that stays on me about it. There wasn’t a defensive system since I came to New York, but with Coach Woodson it was just a matter of putting our system in, having a full training camp.”
Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks are off to a tremendous start this season (8-2, giving them the best record in the Eastern Conference.) Not to be a buzzkill, but that’s all it is: a start.
New York still has to play 72 more games, to say nothing of the possible chemistry issues down the line. Serious MVP chatter — not just for Carmelo Anthony, but for anyone else in the NBA — is still a long ways away.
