Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for Carmelo Anthony in LA

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball as Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball as Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

3. Carmelo Anthony becomes the unsung hero of the playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers

There is always one player who steps up and has a much bigger impact in the playoffs than anyone expected. Two seasons ago it was Rajon Rondo who stepped up and activated playoff Rondo mode for the Lakers despite being pretty mediocre in the regular season.

One player who does not get enough credit for his production during the Lakers’ title run is Markieff Morris. Morris shot 42% from beyond the arc in that playoff run. Sure, he only averaged 5.9 points per game, but he made big shots that swung the momentum in multiple games.

In the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, there have only been two players to have a better three-point percentage in a single playoff with as many attempts as Morris did. He was the unsung hero.

That is going to be Carmelo Anthony when the Lakers make the playoffs in eight months. He will be relatively quiet in the regular season, hitting his three-point shots at a good clip and providing a decent scoring option off the bench.

Then the playoffs will roll around and the door will open for Melo to start as the team will likely go smaller. Even if he does not start, Carmelo will be the third or fourth scoring option on the floor, get the best looks and hit big shots when the Lakers need him to.

He won’t put up mind-boggling numbers and take over a series but he can have a few moments that swing a quarter of a playoff game, which could swing that entire game, then swinging the entire series.

Carmelo Anthony knows what he is chasing. For that reason, he will be great in the NBA Playoffs.