Perhaps we have a bit of an explanation for some of the New York Knicks' struggles over the past couple of weeks. Star Carmelo Anthony revealed after the Knicks' win over the New Orleans Hornets Hornets on Sunday that he had been fasting for "spiritual reasons" over the last 15 days and that it had drained his energy (via Newsday):
Carmelo Anthony ends mysterious spiritual fast
Knicks star Carmelo Anthony revealed Sunday that he had been fasting for spiritual reasons over the last 15 days and that it had drained his energy.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Asked why he fasted, Anthony said: “It’s a long story. I haven’t had a good meal in about 2 1/2 weeks. No meats, no carbs, anything like that. I don’t know how I was going through competing at a high level. Just sometimes these past three, four games where the body just feels depleted out there and just trying to find a way to get energy. But like I said, I surrender. I’m done. I’m going to get some food right now.”
Since the calendar turned to 2013, New York has gone just 3-4, with two of those wins coming against NBA bottom feeders in the Hornets and Orlando Magic. Anthony has maintained his high scoring average over that span with several 40-point outbursts, but he's shooting just 42.3 percent overall and 38.9 percent from three-point land in January.
Slow starts have especially been a problem for Anthony, who started off 1-of-10 for the second straight game on Sunday before rebounding late to finish 9-of-25 for 27 points. Now that he will actually have some protein and carbs in his system, maybe Anthony’s shooting numbers will rise again. Or maybe it was just a coincidence.
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