How to incorporate Carmelo Anthony into your offense(stats inside)

How to incorporate Carmelo Anthony into your offense.

I tracked the data to show where he was most impactful last season in a system that didn't utilize him properly and tried to tailor it to the D'Antoni and Morey's philosophies of where they like to see offense come from.

Catch and Shoot

• 54.3 EFG%
• 37.3 3P%
• 46.3 FG%
• 6 of 14 FGA were catch and shoot
• 2 of 6 makes overall were catch and shoot

Note: Catch and Shoot should be a staple of his offensive output. 8-10 catch and shoot shots a game is my target if possible.



Timing and Rhythm

• 60.3 EFG% w/ 22-24secs on shot clock
• 57.5% from 2, 42.4% from 3, 50.7% ovr
• 58.6 EFG% w/ 18-22secs on shot clock
• 56.3% from 2, 39.7% from 3, 44.3% ovr
• 48.9 EFG% w/15-18secs on shot clock
• 43.8% from 2, 35.2% from 3, 38.8 ovr

Note: Early and often he should look to put shots up, he’s much more effective early in the shot clock. His highest frequency was 7-15 seconds which also carried his 2nd lowest 3 3P% and 3rd lowest 2P%. I’d avoid him taking the ball out and instead have him set up down the court and come off a quick pin down for an easy look. If not he can swing it to the weak side and preserve his legs for defense.



Dribble Pull Ups

• 0, 54.6 EFG%, 37.5% 3, 50.6% 2
• 1, 47.9 EFG%, 33.3% 3, 47.6% 2
• 2, 45.5 EFG%, 28.6% 3, 45.7% 2
• 3-6, 47.8 EFG%, 30.3% 3, 48.4% 2
• 7+, 42.2% EFG%, 23.5% 3, 43.8% 2

Note: Melo should never take a pull up 3 pointer unless its off the catch with 1 dribble stepping into the shot. Every dribble should lead to him moving closer to the basket and if decides to not attack the rim then 10-14 feet is ideal.



Areas to attack

• Inside 5ft, 54.1 FG%
• 10-14ft, 45 FG%
• 20-24ft 35.1 3P%
• 25-29ft 35.8 3P%

Areas to avoid

• 5-9ft 33.9 FG%
• 15-19ft 42 FG%

Note: Take the 3 ball if you catch in rhythm, use your dribble as a weapon to either set feet or get into the 10-14 area to use touch or to the rim and finish through contact.

Avoid longer 2s and running lay ups. 3s, Short mid range, strong lay ups and dunks only



Shot Distance targets

• Less than 8ft 51.4 FG%
• 24ft+ 35.6%

Spots

• Restricted Area 56.4 FG%
• Inside the paint 45.2 FG%
• Right Corner 3 40 3P%
• Above the break 3 35.8 3P%

Note: Find ways to get into areas of strength. Again shoot the 3 or get into the painted area or rim either far enough to avoid the big and shoot over them or get by them and finish.



Assisted/Unassisted

• 148 3s were assisted, 21 were unassisted

Note: 3s should come off the pass and not through pull ups. Pull up 3s will kill your efficiency. Catch and shoot, catch 1 dribble shoot or catch 2-3 dribbles into sweet spots for shots.



Conclusion



Melo has areas where he can still be impactful on the court as outlined. The question is in the Rockets offense playing off of Chris Paul and James Harden will he have those looks created and will he able to establish a steady rhythm within an offense where guys are allowed to shoot at will.



Keys for Melo

• Early in the shot clock
• Limited dribbles unless getting into the lane
• Not settling for the 15-19ft area
• Assisted 3s from the right side of the court
• 3 Pointer, Paint, Rim only.
• Quick but patient decisions
• Only isolate when match up calls for it and if you isolate keep in my mind areas of strength as outlined here

My projections if Melo follows these guidelines.



7/14 FG, 50%

3/8 3P, 37.5%

3/3.5 FT, 85%



20ppg, 7rpg, 2apg

Couple that scoring output with passable team defense and ball moving when the shot isn't there and you have a way more impactful player than Billy Donovan and Russell Westbrook utilized.