Carmelo Anthony is still on, but Lakers fall again

LOS ANGELES – At age 37, Carmelo anthony came to reinforce the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. As expected, criticism and questions from the press and fans appeared around the hiring of Melo. However, after nine games in the season, Carmelo has pleasantly surprised with his performances.

On Thursday night, the Lakers took the loss (once again) to the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-104. For the second time this season opener, Thunder rallied double-digit deficits to win over the Angels. Despite the defeat, Carmelo hung up large numbers as a relief; He had 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in 32 minutes.

“We continue to be an evolving project, we have shown good basketball in recent games, but when a player like LeBron (James) is missing, we have to make other adjustments. Despite his absence, the reality is that we should not lose this game, ”shared Carmelo Anthony after the loss.

Lebron James missed the Lakers game due to an abdominal strain.

LONG DISTANCE START
Carmelo Anthony is having an ERA from the perimeter like never before. After 9 games this season, he has a .524 ERA on 3s, with 32 of 61 completed. On Thursday, in the loss to Oklahoma, he hit five from long range, including two in the last minute, but could no longer help the team achieve the result.

“I’m just trying to follow the game plan,” Carmelo Anthony said. “I’m working on my shots, I stay in the gym, I have the willingness to adapt, the passion of wanting to be better every day, to learn, all this is new for the group, I have to be ready and fine for when the coach says my number. It’s a long season, but I have to continue like this ”.

Anthony has four games of six at home so far, with at least five triples.

“What Carmelo has done has been important to us, especially when other of our players are out. Melo has taken a step forward and assumed the load from the perimeter, ”shared LeBron James about his teammate, after last Tuesday’s win against the Rockets.

Carmelo Anthony has scored at least 20 points in four games this season and has been the Lakers’ second-unit leading scorer in eight of the nine games played. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field and 52 percent on 3s, averaging 16.7 points per game. Melo had no such numbers since last season with the New York Knicks in 2016-17.

“(Carmelo) has always been willing to do what is best for the team,” he said. Russell westbrook.

Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the group are focused on the main goal which is to win the championship, but before that, there is a lot of work to be done in terms of adapting a group of great veteran talent.

Lakers have started the season with a 5-4 record and are sixth in the Western Conference. His next game is Saturday visiting the Portland Trail Blazers.