Playoff Time 2013: Carmelo Anthony

The purest Scorer in the league since George "The Iceman" Gervin, High School All-American and now 2013 NBA Scoring Champion are now some of the many Credentials Carmelo Anthony has earned in his career. The Question though is will he add an NBA ring to those credentials? Since his trade from Denver to the Knicks Melo has been scrutinized and then uplifted  by the New York Media and fans, he has been labeled one of the most overpaid players in the NBA by Forbes magazine. For all the scrutiny he has been through the past few years Melo has began peaking at just the right time and has been playing on an unreal level heading into the playoffs.

Like I alluded to earlier Carmelo is the scoring champ for the first time in his career but that's small stuff If Anthony wants to get the respect he deserves he is going to have to go through Lebron James and win a NBA Title. The Knicks did a great job developing chemistry early in the season which led them to the #2 seed in the East and a 3-1 record vs the defending Champion Miami Heat. There were a lot of moving parts this season in NY and Melo did a good job of leading his teammates and the Knicks on and off the court.

People make a big deal of how of how great a scorer Carmelo is and neglect the fact that he has committed himself to the other side of the ball on defense this season. We see Melo these days get after it and at 6'8 with a big body the former Syracuse star can be an asset on defense when his head is in the right place. A lot of credit has to go to Mike Woodson and the defensive philosophy he has established in NY, because of that the Knicks are getting more timely stops.

The Knicks enter the playoffs in what looks to be a playoff series that has an old-time basketball feel to it against the arch rival Boston Celtics. It's no secret that these teams have a history of physical play which extends beyond physicality and into verbal warfare. What I am speaking about is Kevin Garnett's "Honey Nut Cheerio"  Comments in regards to Anthony's wife. This will be a great 1st round test for the Knicks vs. the Underdog Celtics, expect things to be physical.

These Playoffs will play huge role in shaping the legacy of Carmelo Anthony as a Knick. He can either be known as a great player who never won a championship like Patrick Ewing or Become Legendary and put his name With the Likes of Walt Frazier and Willis Reed and become the driving force toward the 1st Championship Banner in Madison Square Garden in 40 years. Will Melo deliver NYC a Championship? we will see but the Ultimate road to a ring goes through Lebron James and the Miami Heat.

The NBA Playoffs begin April 20th as Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks take on Paul Pierce and the #7 seeded Boston Celtics.