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TSN Basketball Analyst

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TSN basketball analyst Jack Armstrong returns with five thoughts for the middle of the week, including his take on Knicks star Carmelo Anthony trusting his teammates more and Patty Mills filling in for Tony Parker in San Antonio

1. MARC GASOL (Grizzlies): The Memphis centre is a huge reason why the Grizzlies are hanging in there despite a rash of injuries. Gasol has been stellar, averaging 19.2 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's shooting 42.3 per cent from three-point range, so he does it all for your team inside and out. Gasol is an outstanding face-up post player who you can run your offence through. He also plays a tough and rugged style. Gasol gives you a chance to win every night — that's what the very good players do.

2. JEFF GREEN (Magic): Green has always been a bit of an enigma. You see flashes of great play and then he disappears. The forward is averaging 16 points and four rebounds in December while shooting 56 per cent from the field and 41 per cent from three-point range. His ability to give the offence some firepower and his length and athleticism on defence makes him a nice piece to have. Can he maintain it? Who knows? If the Magic are going to continue to succeed he absolutely needs to.

3. PATTY MILLS (Spurs): With Tony Parker sidelined — possibly for a while — the Spurs are going to need Mills to perform at a high level for the upcoming stretch. I've always been a huge fan of his. Mills is a high-energy guy who puts pressure on your defence with his relentless attacking ability. He also sets a positive tone for the defence with his on-ball pressure. Mills is having a sound season, averaging 11.2 points and 3.7 assists per game. He's paid his dues and is more than ready to assume greater minutes when needed. It’s always nice for a team to have a veteran presence like Mills to keep things afloat.                

4. CARMELO ANTHONY (Knicks): Instead of wrongfully chatting about LeBron James and his “posse,” New York Knicks president Phil Jackson spoke Tuesday about Anthony's “tendency to hold onto the ball for more than two seconds at times.” I like that. Jackson’s team is playing well and they're getting contributions from a number of players. It's not just Anthony's team to carry. He’s obviously played a huge part in their success, but Anthony needs to trust his teammates for this club to continue to grow and improve. If he does, the Knicks will come along nicely. It’s a hard habit to break, but so often it's caused by lack of true respect for the guys you play with. The Knicks are a playoff team and they'll need Anthony to be their star, but the development of other areas of the roster is going to be crucial.          

5. BORIS DIAW (Jazz): He's down from his career numbers, averaging just 4.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, but he's a wonderful presence on a young team. I like this Jazz squad, which is sound on both sides of the ball. Utah has been held back by injuries, but they've got the ability to be right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff scene this spring. Diaw’s selfless play and off-the-charts basketball smarts will be invaluable characteristics to have, even in a reduced role as the games get more important. Having good veteran role models is a critical element to playoff success.