Carmelo Anthony was an NBA great, but his legacy will be defined by title-winning freshman year at Syracuse

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What’s the first thing that jumps to mind when you hear the name Carmelo Anthony?

For Nuggets fans, sure, it’s understandably Melo in a baby-blue Denver uni in the first part of his NBA career. (Given how lovely things currently are in the Rockies, those fans’ fondness of Anthony rejuvenating the franchise in the 2000s is probably greater on this day than ever before. His NBA retirement announcement on Monday was well-timed in that respect.)

And for the irascible yet incurable Knicks fans, who back that franchise no matter how terrible their existence can sometimes be, I suppose there are some good memories tied to Anthony’s time there — even if it was complicated by his poor handling of the Linsanity phenomenon. Many Knicks fans aren’t quick to forget that Anthony pushed the team to only one conference semifinals appearance, either.

Anthony suited up for six NBA franchises in 19 seasons. In the winter of his career, he petered out in Oklahoma City, Houston, Portland and Los Angeles. For as fun as he was in Denver and as much buzz as his Knicks signing brought to Manhattan (and the NBA) at the time, I think it’s fair to say none of those teams will be what he’s most remembered for. It’s not his outstanding Olympics run either, though that’s a major part of his basketball legacy.

Melo is a 10-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA Second Team (and four-time Third Team) honoree. In what probably landed as shocking news to many people on Monday, the man also stands proudly at No. 9 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, ahead of Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Durant. He won three Olympic gold medals — the first player to achieve the feat. His career was a substantial one, a 19-year professional stride that will put him in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame later this decade.

Yet, 20 years on, Melo is most closely tied to New York — but not the city. It’s the school in the center of the state, the place that is the start of his Hall of Fame journey. Someone says “Carmelo Anthony” and most people think:…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/carmelo-anthony-was-an-nba-great-but-his-legacy-will-be-defined-by-title-winning-freshman-year-at-syracuse/

Author : Matt Norlander

Publish date : 2023-05-22 22:16:18

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