Chris Brickley is known as one of the best basketball trainers in the world. USA Today has dubbed the former University of Louisville guard as its “Top NBA Workout Guru.” His clients’ list includes Kevin Durant, James Harden, Carmelo Anthony C. J. McCullum, Enes Kanter, Blake Griffin, and Donovan Mitchell.
On Wednesday night, a bunch of NBA talent gathered in New York City to play games at a Lifetime Fitness. The games featured a lot of familiar faces such as Carmelo Anthony, Donovan Mitchell, 2019 Rookie of the Year runner up Trae Young, Dennis Smith Jr, Tj Warren, Serge Ibaka, and Lance Stevenson to name a few.
Speaking of Carmelo Anthony, he only participated in ten games last season before the Houston Rockets traded him to the Chicago Bulls and then later released.
Carmelo hasn’t been sitting on the couch; he has been in the gym with Brickley working to improve his game.
In fact, during the run session on Wednesday night, Melo was torching his match as he has done during his sixteen years in the NBA.
All year long, there has been an ongoing debate about Melo’s game and does it translate into today’s fast pace game.
Detriot Pistons forward Blake Griffin seems to think so as he with that Melo has a lot more left in the tank.
“Melo is a Hall of Famer, and I think it is funny how fickle today’s world with social media, and everything has become what have you done for me lately. I don’t know if they remember how good of a player he was and still is. Sometimes it’s the situation; it sucks to see as a basketball player to see people act he is something he is not, said Griffin.
Griffin continued:
“I have a feeling Melo will turn it around.”
Sacramento Kings assistant coach Bobby Jackson believes Carmelo game can adapt to today’s game but is Melo willing to accept a reduce roll?
“I think Carmelo’s game still adapts to today’s game, it just has to be the right situation,” Kings Assistant Coach Bobby Jackson told me. With Carmelo situation being that he is 15 or 16 seasons in will he be willing to take a back seat by coming off the bench and being a limited role player in that offense. I think that is the biggest question with Carmelo,” said Jackson.
However Former Knicks guard Nate Robinson feels that Melo would be more effective in the starting line up.
”It depends are you bringing Carmelo Anthony off the bench, then no, but if you are starting him, then yes, of course, he can help any team, if you let him be himself. You have to let Melo be Melo, and if you do that, he can definitely help any team in a starting role,” said Robinson.
We will have to see if another NBA team is willing to take a chance on Melo next season.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
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