Carmelo Anthony solid in first 5 Games for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets are off to a disappointing start to the season. They have suffered from injuries, suspensions and just flat out sub-par performances to begin the new campaign. However, despite this slow start, there has been one bright spot for the Rockets to begin the year.

That bright spot is none other than Carmelo Anthony.

Following a heavily scrutinized and struggling year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carmelo Anthony has seemed to be adjusting to the Rockets way of play sooner than expected and though the wins have not been there to support it, Carmelo Anthony is quietly having a bounce back year.

Carmelo Anthony averaged 16.2 points per game last season with OKC, and so far is only averaging 14.2 points per game in five games with the Rockets.

At first glance, yes the numbers are lower than a season ago, and last year was a career low in points for Carmelo Anthony, however in the past couple of games Carmelo Anthony has shown constant improvement.

In the past two games against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, Anthony is averaging 23 points per game on 50 percent shooting from behind the three-point line.

Anthony has also been a huge plus on the defensive rebounding category for the Rockets, which has been terrible for Houston in the first five games.

The Rockets are ranked 29th in rebounding only behind the Memphis Grizzlies.

Carmelo Anthony is averaging 5.8 rebounds a game which is second in rebounds per game for the Rockets behind only James Harden.

Houston’s struggles in rebounding is a big part as to why the team is 1-4 to begin the year. Being unable to crash the boards has allowed for too many second chance opportunities for their opponents.

Anthony has also been decent on defense.

Anthony has struggled on on-ball switches which have left him to guard strong ball handlers by himself.

In off ball situations however, Carmelo Anthony has done a good job communicating switches and contesting shots in the paint.

Anthony still has plenty to improve upon as he has still not completely adjusted to playing with the Rockets.

There have been instances when Anthony catches and shoots the ball and seems uncomfortable of just letting it fly without taking a dribble first.

That little reluctance will fade as the season goes on and when it does his impact on the team will be even greater than it has been so far.

The Rockets may be off to a slow start, but Carmelo Anthony is not.