Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday played his first career game with the Houston Rockets, and he also did something else for the first time in his career: come off the bench.
Anthony came off the bench in Houston’s 131-112 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in their season opener. Anthony famously said last season that he did not want to come off the bench for Oklahoma City, but he’s now amenable to the idea. Why is that the case? He talked with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols about the subject.
‘Melo told Nichols that he still feels like he can start.
“I know what I can bring, and I know what I still can do and what I still have. So, my confidence from that standpoint, yeah, I always have to say, ‘I don’t wanna come off the bench,'” Anthony told Nichols.
So what has changed? He says that the communication between him and the Rockets has been so strong that he is open to doing what’s best for the team.
“But the biggest thing for me is just communicate that with me. If it’s a group of guys out there that’s playing well coming down the stretch, then we’re gonna roll with them. I’m cool with that.
“I mean, of course I wanna be out there, but just communicate that with me. And that’s the only thing I ask. And so far, the communication has been, you know, very open and honest, and the dialogue has been great. And everybody’s on the same page, so that makes it easier.”
The big difference between his situation in Houston vs. Oklahoma City is that he no longer has the leverage. The Thunder gave up assets to acquire ‘Melo in a trade, thinking he would help them be competitive last season. Things did not work out as planned because Anthony’s defense is so bad now that he’s no longer a viable starter for a contender. That was probably made clear to him as a condition when he joined the Rockets. Anthony agreed and now he has to play by their rules.
He had time over the offseason to mentally adjust to his new role and is now comfortable with it.
Anthony still played 27 minutes on Wednesday, going 3-for-10 for nine points.
