ROCKET LANDS
Melo finally gets his wish, lands in Houston
After weeks of rumors, Carmelo Anthony finally agrees to deal with Houston
Carmelo Anthony's been changing uniforms like disposable razors these days, but he's finally on his preferred team: the Houston Rockets.
Anthony, a free agent, verbally agreed to a deal with the Rockets, according to reports, and the expectation is it will be on a one-year, minimum contract. He is joining MVP James Harden, buddy Chris Paul and former foe Mike D'Antoni, all of whom led Houston to the NBA's best record last season.
They represent the top threat to a potential Golden State three-peat, and incorporating Anthony will be an interesting subplot to that quest. Despite a sharp decline in his game the last two seasons, Anthony scoffed at the idea of coming off the bench in OKC and has made it clear he still views himself as a star.
The Rockets, who took the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals, have a starting spot open after losing small forward Trevor Ariza in free agency. But many scouts believe Anthony's defense — or lack thereof — would be a poor fit in a lineup with Harden.
It's also possible Anthony has finally been humbled by the events of the last year. The forward was pushed out of New York by Phil Jackson and lobbied for a trade to Houston last summer, but the Knicks didn't like the offer and sent him instead to Oklahoma City.
Anthony lasted one disappointing season in OKC, finishing with career lows in points per game and shooting percentage. The Thunder sacrificed a protected first-round pick to trade Anthony in a salary dump to Atlanta, which promptly bought out his contract and cleared the way for his arrival in Houston.
In other words, this is his fourth team in less than a year. And he probably hasn't been humbled.
“I know how to play this game of basketball,” he said last month to ESPN.
“I've been playing it for a long time. When I feel like I'm ready to take that role, then I'll take that role. Only I know when it's best for me to take that role. I'm not going to do that in a situation where I still know my capabilities and what I can do. And at the end of the day, the people who really matter know my capabilities and what I can still do.”