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Chauncey Billups says Carmelo Anthony isn't a vocal leader

REUTERS/Mike Segar / reuters

When Chauncey Billups speaks, the league listens.

Mr. Big Shot spent parts of four seasons with New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and Billups appeared on "The Knicks Blog with Anthony Donahue" radio show (as transcribed by ESPN) to speak about the Knicks.

When asked about Anthony's abilities as a vocal leader, Billups said, "He's not that guy."

Melo’s a good friend of mine, one of the best players I ever played with, but he’s not the guy who’s going to stand up in the locker room and give this rah-rah speech and get the team to rally. That's not who he is.

One thing he is, he’s going to come to play every single night, he’s going to practice every single day. He is who he is, He’s not that guy (who leads vocally). 

But for who he is, he’s great. You've got to find another guy to make speeches, and another guy to do most of the leading. (Carmelo’s) going to most of the time lead by example. He’s not going to be vocal, he’s not going to rock the boat.

Given the way Anthony's Knicks have spiraled out of control over the past two seasons, it's hard to disagree with Billups' assessment.

It's also worth noting that Anthony has historically played under the wing of some solid veterans who have helped him along. He played with Andre Miller to start his career in Denver, before the Nuggets traded for Billups and acquired the likes of Anthony Carter. Even his most successful season with the Knicks in 2012-13 came while he played alongside Tyson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, Rasheed Wallace and Jason Kidd.

The onus therefore falls on Phil Jackson and the Knicks to surround Anthony with some veteran leaders. However, that might prove difficult given that veterans usually flock to contending teams, of which the Knicks are not. 

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