Carmelo Anthony: 'I think I'm the most underrated superstar that's out there'
Carmelo Anthony is one of the NBA's biggest stars, both on the court and off, but his underwhelming defense and lack of team success with the New York Knicks makes him a contentious subject when ranking the best overall players in the game.
Those who want superstars to make an impact on both ends of the floor often see Anthony's one-way game as overrated, but the seven-time All-Star views things differently.
"I think I'm the most underrated superstar that's out there," Anthony told ESPN.
"I know what I'm capable of doing. I know the grind and the hard work I put in to this. I know how consistent I've been over my career. To do it day in and day out and night in and night out on a very consistent basis year in year out, I know what I can do and I know the work I've put in."
Anthony has a point about consistency. He's averaged 25.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals over his 11-year career. He's missed less than 100 total games, and failed to qualify for the postseason only once (2014).
But he's a poor defender and, while he's become more efficient over the last few seasons, still doesn't score as efficiently as fellow one-way players like James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki, let alone like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul.
James and Durant are unquestionably the top two players in the NBA, with Paul the popular choice for No. 3. But Anthony believes he belongs in that same class.
"I know, personally, I'm there. It doesn't bother me," 'Melo told ESPN when asked if he's troubled by the notion that he's not in the James-Durant class.
Via ESPN:
"These (analysts) are all people that maybe never accomplish anything. That just sit back and write articles all day long about what they see. They're kind of living through us out there on the basketball court. I don't worry about me being put up there. I know night in and night out I'm gonna go out there and put my work in regardless of win loss or draw. I'm still going to go out there and be the best player I can be."
Given that many fans and analysts rate Anthony lower than they used to, he may have a point about now being underrated. But his argument loses credibility when he lumps himself in the same class as James and Durant.