Carmelo Anthony
Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/Twitter

Carmelo Anthony had two steals and four blocks in addition to 23 points on Sunday against the Houston Rockets. The 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers newcomer said postgame that people have a misconception about him not being willing to adapt to a different role.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was asked on Monday what he saw from Melo on the defensive end and if it was different from his reputation. “First, I’d say probably just the care factor on that side of the ball,” he said. “Reputations are reputations but he’s had the mindset to come in and pull his own weight and then some on the defensive side of the ball and be part of a great defense.

“So he asks good questions, makes sure he’s sharp with all of our coverages. I think the other more specific thing is that something you don’t see when you’re coaching against him is he’s a great communicator defensively which you don’t know that playing against him.

“He’s really one of our best guys out there calling out the action, making sure our guards’ feet are changing when screen rolls are happening and things like that. If you got a great communicator on defense, that really helps everything. So I’d say those two things.”