The biggest disadvantage Anthony has
is that he is a pure small forward, not possessing the
versatility and explosive burst that James has and not wide
enough to be a low-post banger. But so what?
Look around the league, and there are few true small
forwards, players who have the size, athleticism and
shooting range to play 15 to 20 feet from the hoop, combined
with the skills to operate in the post when mismatches
come. Players who have the abilities - Antoine Walker
or Tim Thomas, for example - often mismanage them.
Anthony can hit the midrange jumper
much better than James. He is an underrated passer and
could one day play a halfcourt, point-forward role, like
Jamal Masburn or Webber. Like James, his defense
should be called an unknown, not a negative, because
Syracuse played a 2-3 zone.
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