Carmelo Anthony flaunts slimmer frame, earns new nickname "Skinny Melo"

In his 17-year NBA career so far, Carmelo Anthony has earned so many nicknames from "Melo" to "Captain America" to "The Patriot" and "Hoodie Melo."

And, now, the Portland Trail Blazers guard has got a new nickname, "Skinny Melo."

"Skinny Melo" has been trending on social media after videos, and photos of Melo have been circulating, showing him sporting a slimmer frame following Portland's practice over the weekend.

The Portland Trail Blazers and 21 other NBA teams are at the NBA bubble at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, preparing for the resumption of the 2019-2020 NBA season on July 30.

Terry Stotts, the Blazers head coach, confirmed that there has indeed been a bit of change in Melo's body.

Melo's teammate, shooting guard CJ McCollum told NBC Sports that the future Hall of Famer had experimented on many diets during the quarantine.

McCollum added that Melo hasn't really lost that much weight, he has just successfully turned his fat into muscle.

And, Carmelo Anthony is moving well, said Stotts. He is in better shape and is ready to go.

Before the NBA had suspended the 2019-2020 season, Melo has been averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

The NBA resumption will see Melo playing the number three position instead of the four, and that's probably why he is muscling up so he could move well and be of use in the defensive end.

Stotts said that Melo had been away from basketball for a year, and yet he was able to make his body fit enough to easily return to the court when he signed up for the Blazers last November.

This means that during the four-month quarantine, Melo also knew what to do for his physique.

Melo will be one of the key players as the Blazers gun for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Known as one of the league's best scorers, Melo had been shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 37.1 percent beyond the paint, and 84.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Could Carmelo Anthony lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs? That would be interesting to find out.

Image credit courtesy of Alexandra Walt/Flickr