Carmelo Anthony is Already Breaking New York Knick Records

Carmelo Anthony has made a significant impact on the New York Knicks since he was traded to them last season and he’s already starting to break team records.

During Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic, Anthony finished with 20 points and set a new record along the way. With his 20-point performance, Melo set a new Knicks record with his 30th straight 20-point game. The previous 20-point game streak was 29 held by Richie Guerin way back in 1961-62. Anthony is one of the best scorers in the NBA so it isn’t much of a surprise that he’s already breaking scoring records in his short stint with his new team.

Overshadowing Anthony’s record breaking performance Wednesday night was the combination play from the Knicks’ two big men, Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire. The two combined for 35 points on 17-18 shooting from the field with Stoudemire hitting all seven shots that he took.

Despite Anthony being the potent scorer that he is, setting a record like the one he did Wednesday is something that is not easily accomplished. There are a myriad of factors that could go against a player on any given night– foul trouble, cold-shooting, stout defense– but Anthony has weathered it all to score at least 20 points in his 30th straight contest.

He’s the Knicks’ No. 1 option each time down the floor, and that contributes to his nightly scoring numbers, but it’s almost a given that Anthony will get to foul line, early and often. However, against the Magic, Anthony had to get his 20 without much of a contribution from free-throw attempts as he only went to the line once.

I’m sure that one of the reasons that Anthony wanted to play for the Knicks, besides just playing in a big city, was their tradition and history. Now, just a little over one season into his time in New York, he’s adding tradition and history himself.