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Denver Nuggets: Alex English vs. Carmelo Anthony

By Grayson Moore

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: a general view of the 50 year logo during the game between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns on January 19, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: a general view of the 50 year logo during the game between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns on January 19, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1989: Alex English #2 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball by Charles Jones #23 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1989 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. English played for the Nuggets from 1980-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1989: Alex English #2 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball by Charles Jones #23 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1989 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. English played for the Nuggets from 1980-90. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Rebounding

Anthony has established a reputation as a bit of a ball hog. Let’s see if that holds up looking at the stats.

English averaged 4.4 assists per game as a Nugget. Melo averaged 3.1. English maintained a 1.6 assists to turnover ratio, and Carmelo had a 1 to 1 assists to turnover ratio. So, already an advantage to English.

English had an 18.5% assist percentage as a Nugget. Anthony possessed a 15.5% assist percentage during his 8 seasons in Denver. Another point to English.

While offensive rating is a reflection of a player’s overall offensive ability, not just passing ability, I’m going to use it here as the deciding factor in the last part of this comparison relating to offense. In his 11 years in the Mile High City, English averaged an offensive rating of 113 per 100 possessions. Anthony had an offensive rating of 107 per 100 possessions. Need I say more? English is undoubtedly the better passer, at least based on the stats. If you have any doubts about that, think about the last time you thought to yourself, “Wow, what a great pass by Melo!” It’s probably been a couple of years.