New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic: Carmelo Anthony Returning to Dominant Form

It's been awhile since Carmelo Anthony has flat-out dominated a game for the New York Knicks, but that drought has ended after Melo dropped 25 points en route to crushing the Orlando Magic, 108-86.

I know, 25 points isn't exactly dominating a game, but he did it in 26 minutes which were stretched out through only three quarters. He also came through with five rebounds and six assists in his shortened time on the court.

Had he played a full game, Anthony would have easily scored more points in what might have been his best game by far this season.

The biggest struggle Anthony has faced this season has been his shooting. Coming into the game with the Magic, Melo was shooting at a 40 percent clip for the season. From beyond the arc, he's 28 percent.

But in New York's win on Wednesday night, all that was a memory as Anthony shot at a lights-out 60 percent from the floor. He was knocking down open looks as well as shots where he had a hand in his face. There was nothing Orlando could do to stop him.

Even his three-pointers were going down, despite his problems from long range this season. Melo was two for five in that department.

Coach Mike Woodson wasn't kidding when he said he planned on posting Melo when he took over the job for Mike D'Antoni. Anthony was a regular in the low post, more so than he's been all season, and was enjoying success (which is something we haven't seen much of in 2012).

The Knicks often ran the offense through Melo down low, and he did a great job of kicking the ball back out to find the open man when he didn't have options in the paint.

Melo helped put the game away in the third quarter, when he scored 12 points in what became a 21-0 run that put the Knicks up by 39 and the game out of contention.

Not only is Carmelo getting it done scoring the basketball, he continues to play solidly all around with great passing, consistent rebounding and even better defensive pressure each time down the floor.

This was the second straight game in which Carmelo Anthony looked like an MVP-type player, and it could not have come at a better time.

With Amar'e Stoudemire out for the next two to four weeks and Jeremy Lin out day-to-day, the Knicks will need their best player to step up the rest of the way. So far, Melo has answered the call in the first two games without 40 percent of the Knicks' starting five.

I think it's safe to say that after 9 games under Coach Woodson, we are seeing a new Carmelo Anthony. And while his scoring is now coming along, he's maintained a new energy in all aspects of the game.

Most importantly, Melo is becoming a leader by example, and clearly his team is feeding off of it. That could be the most vital contribution Anthony makes the entire season.