James Harden optimistic about teaming with Carmelo Anthony
The Houston Rockets all seem optimistic about adding Carmelo Anthony to their roster.
Melo was traded by Oklahoma City to Atlanta and is expected to join the Rockets for the veteran’s minimum when everything is finalized. Though Melo did not work out with the Thunder, James Harden believes he will fit in nicely in Houston.
At USA Basketball camp on Thursday, Harden called Anthony “gifted and talented” and said the forward has a lot more to go.
James Harden at USAB camp (h/t @tom_orsborn): "Everybody in the world knows what Carmelo brings, how gifted and talented he is. He still has a lot more to go. If he comes to the Rockets, we will bring the best out of him, and I am sure he will bring the best out of us as well."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 26, 2018
Harden continued: "We all know how easy he can score the basketball. We have had conversations with him. That’s the most important thing … bringing in Melo … to be part of a championship team, you have to have conversations. As long as you communicate good things can happen."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 26, 2018
Anthony can still score just as Harden says, but his movement and defense are questionable now that he’s 34 and aging. That’s why limiting his minutes probably makes the most sense. Would Anthony agree to that sort of role? That will be a big question. For now, it’s not even conclusive that adding Anthony will even make the Rockets a better team.