Man On Fire

Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Dwight, CP3, Garnett. All these named have been mentioned in the race for MVP in the past few years. Some more circulated than others (Hint: the ones I mentioned twice); however, one superstar who has been kept in the dark. Since losing the rookie race to his fellow "Redeem Team" teammate Lebron, Carmelo Anthony hasn't been mentioned in well anything regarding himself. Last season Melo help push his team to the western conference finals only to be re-routed back to Denver by Kobe Bryant and Lakers. Before the season Melo was apart of the team USA gold medal basketball team.

So after winning Gold and getting to the western conference checked off on the mental checklist of Melo, there could only be two things he hasn't done yet win MVP and Win a NBA Championship. In the offseason before the start of this season Melo's athletic trainer said in an interview with ESPN "His effort level and commitment were extraordinary". In the interview his trainer also says he's doing things differently that are contributing to the teams success. These include improving efficiency, slimming down, polishing his offensive game and commiting defensively.

With that said it's no wonder Carmelo is off to a great start. Right now he's leading the league in scoring averaging 31 points per game. Not to mention eight 30 point games, back to back 40+ games and recently dropping a career high 50 points on the Knicks. He's also shooting better than ever before in his NBA career. However he's going to have to do more than shoot his way out of the wild wild west. He must also play defense and help his teammates have the same drive for the gold that he seeks.

Melo achievements include leading the Syracuse Orange to the 2003 NCAA championship and was named MOP (Most Outstanding Player) of the Tournament, as well as the consensus NCAA freshman of the year. In the NBA he's been a 3 time All NBA selection, 2 time All Star, and not to mention two gold medals with the new "Redeem Team". Seems like the only thing left to do is get a NBA Championship and get some other hardware on the way to the top, and hopefully come from behind the shadow of LeBron and Wade that seems to cover up his achievements every season except this one...so far.

- Posted from my iPhone