Carmelo Anthony: Why Knicks Forward Is the NBA's Most Loved and Hated Player

If you had to pick one player in the NBA who is both the most loved and the most hated, Carmelo Anthony would have to be up at the top. You only have to look at this season to know why.

Think about it: It took injuries to Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin for Anthony to win back New York. When both Stoudemire and Lin were on the same floor, Anthony was constantly criticized for not playing within the game, for needing the ball in his hands at all times to succeed, for being a superstar who couldn't play with other superstars.

He was one of those supremely talented players whose head was up in the clouds.

But as soon as Stoudemire and Lin left the floor, POOF! Anthony is dropping buckets, rebounding the basketball and contributing defensively. The Knicks have won 11 of their past 14 games, and a lot of it has to do with Anthony's play on the hardwood. He is now the central piece to the Knicks' success, and he likes it that way.

In that respect, Anthony is one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA. Those who dislike him say he's one of those egocentric superstars who would prefer to try to beat a whole team by himself than involve his teammates. Those who love him say he's a fantastic talent who just needs role players around him to succeed.

You can just see the conservatives and progressives of basketball pulling at Anthony from each side. The traditionalists want to see five passes, with the open player getting the shot. The progressives give the ball to Anthony and watch him break down three players en route to a fadeaway 22-footer.

Anthony incites a clash of styles more than anything. That's why, when he's struggling, the doubters explode, while when he's playing well, his supporters come out in droves. There is rarely any middle ground when it comes to 'Melo.

Heck, even the word "Melo" conjures up his care-free demeanor, another thing that draws ire from his critics.

That's why, no matter what Anthony does or doesn't do, he will always be a polarizing figure: He is best when he's left alone to work his magic, but basketball is a team sport. Even if he keeps playing the way he's playing, if the Knicks lose in the first round of the playoffs, most of the blame will fall squarely on his shoulders, because people will say he once again didn't go deep into the playoffs and, therefore, he must be the problem.

Carmelo Anthony simply can't win until he wins a championship.

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