Carmelo Anthony To Meet With The Houston Rockets Wednesday
By Mario Hicks
Carmelo Anthony is set to meet with the Houston Rockets on Wednesday morning, multiple sources have confirmed.
The seven time All-Star will fly to Houston and meet with the Rockets’ front office staff to discuss the future of his playing career. Anthony officially opted out of the final year of his contract with the New York Knicks last week, and there are plenty of suitors awaiting his services.
The Chicago Bulls are said to be the favorites, outside of the Knicks, to land Anthony. They are meeting with Melo today.
Apr 6, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) takes a shot against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets fans should not be discouraged by the Bulls getting the first meeting. The New Jersey Nets were the first team to meet with the LeBron James when he tested the free agent market in the summer of 2010.
Anthony will follow his visit with the Bulls on Tuesday by traveling to Texans to visit with the Rockets and then the Mavericks later that day. He’s expected to meet with the Lakers on Thursday.
Carmelo Anthony will have a lot to think about over the course of the next few days. Houston is a valuable option for Anthony for numerous reasons.
Throughout Anthony’s eleven year career, he has been left to do the majority of the heavy lifting for his team. His heavy lifting has gone in vain as Anthony has never been to the NBA Finals.
Carmelo Anthony is dying for that taste of champagne in the middle of June, and will explore his options. The Chicago Bulls have Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah who Anthony can team with, but if Rose is not healthy Anthony could end up in a similar situation that he was in with the New York Knicks. If Rose is out, Anthony will be left to carry the load on offense yet again as the Chicago Bulls struggle to score.
Derrick Rose’s health will be part of Anthony’s decision, and after the tumultuous knee injury that has plagued Rose’s career, there are still many questions behind his health and recovery.
With the Houston Rockets, Anthony does not have to take the answers to those questions into account. The Houston Rockets have James Harden and Dwight Howard and not only are they both elite players, they are healthy proven superstars.
James Harden is a great slashing guard that warrants multiple defenders to stop his penetration to the basket. With Anthony coming off a career shooting season, he will only get better looks the basket in Houston.
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Dwight Howard is a willing passer out of the post and with Anthony’s ability to knock down shots from out there would only add to the Rocket’s offensive firepower.
The Rockets led the league in three pointers attempted last season, but only made them at a 36% rate. Carmelo Anthony would be able to aid in that department fitting in well with the current Houston Rocket offensive strategy.
With the current structure of the NBA, it takes multiple star players to win a championship. The Houston Rockets already have two of those stars, and are looking to add Carmelo Anthony to mix.
The Western Conference is full of stiff competition, and if the Rockets can add Anthony they will only increase their chances of reaching the finals.
Daryl Morey will look to work the same magic he pulled last summer in his pursuit of Carmelo Anthony. Let’s hope he has one more trick up his sleeve.