Carmelo On New York City

I don't know if I've ever told anyone this, but in terms of a basketball icon that I look up to for inspiration, I've always tried to model my game after Carmelo Anthony.

His relentlessness to fight and dig deep down in the low post along with a consistent mid-range/three-point jumper is an extremely difficult set of skills to fully master and to demonstrate consistently. To be able to make your defenders fear you down in the post, but also respecting your jump shot can be said to be an unstoppable combination and Carmelo has just that instinct. Many players are often limited to either one or the other, but as a point-forward who has adapted his game to become one of the best post face-up scorers in today's league, Carmelo has been evolving throughout his career. 

Off the basketball court, I appreciate Melo's taste and genuine interests in the arts, as a once self-proclaimed photography student. The move back to his hometown New York from the Denver mountains where he got drafted and began his NBA career really seemed to influence him as a person and who he strives to become. Always about giving back to his hometown community Red Hook, Carmelo has made the effort to feature artists who are looking to use their talents in art as an expression to give back to the community. Having grown up in an environment where he had to consistently prove himself to those older than him, Carmelo has truly harnessed the New York hustle and tenacity many New Yorkers are proud about. Hence, Carmelo's big move to stay to play with the Knicks as their long-term franchise player is well-earned and justified.

Nonetheless, in this Vice Sports segment, Carmelo also acknowledges the fact that New York is no place for the weak or light-hearted - it's a place that stems from a lack of patience. If you're not ready for New York, New York is ready to spit you right back out.

For those who may still see him as the player who chose a big pay-day over winning a championship, I see it as someone looking to carve out his own path to a championship, rather than jumping ship when times get tough - that's the New York mentality.

I guarantee that after watching this part documentary, you will gain a little more respect for what he is trying to accomplish not only as a player but as an individual looking to give back to his community. Hear more below about what he has to say about his relationship with New York as a city growing up and how that has evolved during his time as a Knickerbocker.