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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame stands as the ultimate and most fitting conclusion to Carmelo Anthony’s basketball journey. Unlike previous stops along the way, Springfield, Massachusetts, won’t have any regrets about him, nor question when he might secure a championship; this will be a permanent home for him. Once he is enshrined in the Hall, there will be no possibility of him leaving, even if he ever wished to, which he certainly won’t.
This Hall symbolizes the sanctuary where he can finally attain tranquility. That’s all that Carmelo, or any prominent athlete for that matter, ever sought: a supportive space that acknowledged his remarkable scoring talents and captivating persona, both of which shone brightly throughout his time in high school, college, and the NBA.
In Denver, he believed he found that haven, transforming the Nuggets into a competitive franchise, until his enthusiasm waned.
New York appeared to be a promising chapter where a passionate basketball city welcomed him—until it became less than ideal.
His career took on a nomadic character as he embarked on a frantic quest for a championship, ultimately landing him in Oklahoma City, followed by Portland, and then Los Angeles, marking the slow decline of his career trajectory. Those brief stints left him empty-handed.
As for Syracuse, while it was a sweet chapter marked by a national championship, it was a fleeting experience for a freshman who quickly surpassed the collegiate level.
The Hall of Fame will weave together these significant moments to honor him, and indeed, there is much to recognize about a unique talent who only requires a single name in introductions—Melo.
He possessed a lethal arsenal of shots, frequently showcasing pull-up jumpers from mid-range, along with impressive accuracy from multiple areas on the court. His strength over smaller forwards and quickness against taller defenders made him virtually unguardable. His capacity to create separation by using his body to unbalance defenders, launching difficult turnaround shots, and driving to the basket made it challenging for anyone to defend him in isolation.
He dropped 62 points in one game, scored 33 in a single quarter, and led the league in scoring during the 2012-13 season. For the majority of his NBA career, except for his last five seasons, Anthony was the primary focus of his teams. He concluded his career ranked tenth in all-time scoring and stands at 6-foot-7, making him the third shortest player on that list (behind Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, both 6-foot-6).
Carmelo Anthony is among the NBA’s all-time great scorers, a ten-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA selection, and a four-time member of Team USA.
Where does his story begin? He was born in Red Hook, Brooklyn, but made his mark as a basketball talent in Baltimore after moving there at age eight. Even in his teenage years, he distinguished himself with his stylish play and scoring ability, making a name for himself along with LeBron James as two of the top high school athletes in the early 2000s.
During that period, he again set himself apart: While James and others jumped directly from high school to the NBA shortly before that pathway was closed off by the league, Anthony chose to attend Syracuse. While the program was well-known for attracting All-American high school players, the significant difference was that Anthony led them to their first and only championship.
That title will significantly enhance Anthony’s case for the Hall (remember, this is the Basketball Hall of Fame, not merely the NBA Hall of Fame). It’s reasonable to consider him one of the finest freshmen of the 2000s, holding the record for the most points scored in an NCAA tournament game by a freshman (33) and contributing to Syracuse’s successful 30-win season.
He effectively played his way out of college basketball—not much more was left for him to achieve.
The 2003 NBA draft was already packed with talent, and it gained even more depth with top prospects like James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Anthony—all of whom would become key members of the 2008 Team USA “Redeem Team,” which coincidentally is also being inducted into the Hall this week.
Anthony was selected third overall by the Nuggets, leaving the Detroit Pistons to regret their choice of Darko Milicic at No. 2. For the Nuggets, his arrival immediately transformed the franchise. It’s rare for a rookie to rejuvenate a struggling team—in this instance, the Nuggets had won only 17 games the previous season—so dramatically.
In Denver, the team secured 43 wins. Anthony became the first rookie to lead a playoff team in scoring since David Robinson in 1989-90, creating an instantaneous and lasting connection. Throughout his full seven seasons in Denver, the Nuggets reached the playoffs each time, securing two division titles and advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. Before Anthony, the Nuggets had faced eight consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.
He was celebrated in Denver, a city dominated by the NFL’s Broncos, yet he found a unique sense of belonging there. Alongside the Nuggets, Anthony resonated with a younger generation just as the city was evolving, with the Lower Downtown area—known as “LoDo”—undergoing significant demographic changes only a mile from the stadium.
During his time with the Nuggets, Anthony was selected as an All-NBA player four times and ranked among the top scorers on two occasions. In 2006, he signed a five-year extension, seemingly assuring his future with the franchise—until his aspirations shifted.
Months before that contract neared its conclusion in 2011, Anthony pushed for a trade, ideally to New York. He sometimes clashed with coach George Karl, but his main desire was for a fresh opportunity in a more vibrant basketball environment. New York offered that and so much more, leading to his trade at the February deadline.
The Knicks were eager for a franchise player for the first time since Patrick Ewing, and at just 27 years old, Anthony wanted to face the spotlight and pressures of playing in the largest and most demanding market.
What New York discovered was that Anthony possessed the personality, charm, and charisma suitable for handling the city’s intense media landscape. Fans connected with him, and he became a vital part of the team. After all, he was homegrown: from Red Hook to Syracuse, he emerged as a prominent figure in the city, reminiscent of Clyde Frazier’s impact.
The biggest selling point was clear: Melo could score. He had the ability to energize Madison Square Garden, regularly dropping 30 points or more. However, the team often faltered, facing defeats at the hands of their opponents.
The better team performances took a few seasons to materialize. The high point of the Anthony-led Knicks came in the 2012-13 season when he won his sole scoring title (28.7), earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team, and boasted the best-selling jersey in the league. That season, the Knicks also won a playoff series for the first time since 2000 as he averaged 29.2 points against the Celtics.
Unfortunately, that success did not continue; the Knicks did not advance past the first round during his remaining years. Frustration grew among fans and Anthony, too, particularly with team president Phil Jackson. Change was necessary once more.
In retrospect, Anthony’s time in Denver and New York largely defined his career. As an All-Star with both franchises, he was a dominant scorer and a player known for taking control of games, consistently serving as the number one option. Additionally, for a forward, he excelled at rebounding, maintaining a career average of 6.2 rebounds per game (nearly seven during his stints with the Nuggets and Knicks).
Those fruitful years paved the way for four Olympic appearances, significant earnings, and laid the groundwork for him to become one of the all-time great scorers.
The next phase of his career revolved around ring-chasing. His journey led him to Oklahoma City to team up with Russell Westbrook and Paul George, then to Houston to play alongside James Harden and Chris Paul, followed by a stint in Portland with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Unfortunately, Anthony’s pursuit of a championship there also ended in first-round exits.
During this period, he took on the role of a secondary scorer. When he reached his final destination with the Lakers in the 2021-22 season, he had transitioned into a supporting role, asked to stretch the floor, shoot three-pointers, and complement LeBron James as their basketball connection came full circle since their high school days.
A ten-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection needs no grand declaration as he enters the Hall in Springfield. Anyone tasked with defending him one-on-one often found it a futile effort. Those who witnessed his scoring prowess were left in awe during his explosive performances.
Melo was in a class of his own among his contemporaries when points were on the line. His signature celebration—placing his fingers to his temple—would serve as a fitting conclusion to his Hall acceptance speech.
After all, with his imminent journey to Springfield, Carmelo Anthony has scored a monumental victory.
Here’s what some legends have said about Melo:
• Dwyane Wade, Hall of Famer and 2008 Olympic teammate: “Carmelo was the first pro player I saw in person when I attended his first college game. We both participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in 2002… I watched Melo before my game, and I thought, ‘That’s the No. 1 pick in the draft.’ I’ve never witnessed anyone that smooth before. He’s consistently been like that since, and whenever I think of Melo, I can’t fathom how anyone could criticize his game. He had everything needed for scoring.”
• Paul Pierce, Hall of Famer: “I had no problem guarding (Kobe) and ‘Bron. They could get their numbers, but I enjoyed the challenge. Melo was different; he was looking to drop 40 and hurt you in the process—with his shoulders, elbows, and everything else.”
• Kevin Garnett, Hall of Famer: “Melo was simply too strong for the twos and too physical for the threes. He presented unmatched physicality in every matchup.”
• Kenyon Martin, former teammate in Denver (2004-11) and New York (2012-14): “I think I’ve spent more time with him than anyone else on the team. He’s fiercely competitive, one of the most driven people I’ve ever met. I’ve discussed with others how succeeding in the NBA requires grit—who possesses that drive? Our list is very short, but he’s on it. He has that fire.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email, explore his archive, and follow him on Twitter.
