New York Knicks Riding Carmelo Anthony to the NBA Playoffs

After Carmelo Anthony's 43-point effort against the Chicago Bulls, there's no doubt the New York Knicks are riding their best player to the NBA playoffs.

With all the media attention and constant scrutiny of the New York fan base, Anthony was criticized by everyone (including yours truly) for his bad shot selection and the stagnation of the Knicks' offense when he was isolated.

I think NBA on ABC commentator and former head coach Jeff Van Gundy said it best after Anthony's game-winning three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls:

"Who's shooting too much now?"

Anthony's shot was the type of heroic play that must've had even Van Gundy himself feeling that old feeling of his winning days against great teams at Madison Square Garden.

Hell, as a Knicks fan, I sure did.

I'm not sure what bad things you can say about Melo at this moment. He's single-handedly put the Knicks on his back with two of their best players injured and has kept the team alive.

But not only alive, Anthony is leading the Knicks up the standings and to a playoff spot.

Although after the game New York had against Chicago on Easter Sunday, I'm not sure if the Knicks would want the seventh seed. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind, Knick fan or not, that this team can hang with the NBA's best team.

And that's without Jeremy Lin and Amar'e Stoudemire.

It appears the Knicks finally have a leader by example on the floor, in Anthony, and the rest of the team is feeding off of it.

Not only has he been lights-out scoring the ball, his effort on defense and on the glass is beginning to put him in that special class of elite players in this league.

No more are the days when Melo is a one-dimensional scorer. He is now becoming a complete player and it couldn't have come at a better time.

There aren't many players in the NBA more valuable to their team than Anthony is right now.