After 19 seasons as the 9th highest scorer in NBA history accumulating 28,289 points in the NBA, Carmelo Anthony has permanently stamped his name on the elite Hall of Fame wall. Deservedly so, Melo was one of the purest scorers that we have ever seen in NBA history. When talking about buckets on demand, Melo is right up there with an extensive list of All-Stars greats such as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, DeWayne Wade, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and ect.
In 2003, Melo entered the NBA during the golden era of high scoring physical basketball, and without hesitation came out of the gate playing bully ball against grown men. Carmelo Anthony probably should’ve won the “Most Valuable Rookie of the Year Award” during the 2003-04 season over LeBron James for putting Denver basketball on the map along with many other reasons.
The year before Carmelo was drafted, the Denver Nuggets were comparable to a minor league basketball club in 2002-03 finishing the season dead last in the NBA at 17-65. The following season, with Melo on the roster, the Nuggets finished 43-39, placing 6th in the Midwest while making a playoff appearance which was unheard of at the time considering how long this team was the joke of the league. That was the first time the Denver Nuggets had been in the playoffs since 1995. Carmelo’s numbers and statistics speak volumes.
Career Milestone Statistics:
- 10x NBA All-Star (2007, 2008, 2010–2017)
- 2x All-NBA Second Team (2010, 2013)
- 4× All-NBA Third Team (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
- NBA Scoring Champion (2013)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
- NCAA Champion (2003)
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2003)
- Consensus Second-Team All-American (2003)
- USBWA National Freshman of the Year (2003)
- No. 15 Retired by Syracuse
- 2× USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2006, 2016)
- First-team Parade All-American (2002)
- McDonald’s All-American (2002)
A few nights prior to his speech, Carmelo mentioned that he would mark his Hall of Fame career with gratitude, and he certainly followed through and delivered. Melo was in the moment with a heartfelt inspirational speech mentioning everyone that helped him and stood by his side along the way including his teammates, childhood friends, and immediate family, and most importantly, his children. Head held high in front of the world, he made a few comments that stood out tremendously.
“Raising children in this world is revolutionary. My kids saved me. They gave me a reason to move past ego, past noise, past criticism. They remind me that legacy isn’t what you leave behind, but what you lift up.”
“There have been so many that shaped who I am—winning Olympic gold medals, coming back home to play in New York as a Knick, the 2013 scoring title game, and of course, that 62-point night at the Garden. Each of those moments meant something different, but it all represents the grind and perseverance I had for the game.”
“Your father isn’t perfect, but he is proof that struggle doesn’t mean surrender. Proof that the road can be rough and still lead to glory.”
“The first time I really picked up a basketball was in Baltimore. This isn’t just an exhibit. It’s my story. Where I started, the challenges I faced, and everything that’s shaped me along the way. You can’t tell that story without Baltimore. This city raised me, pushed me, and gave me the drive to keep moving forward. My hope is that this inspires someone out there to dream bigger, to stay locked in, and to believe that no matter where you start, greatness is possible.”
Overall, Melo made sure to make it clear that he never forgot where he came from, and where it all started back in the inner-city streets of Baltimore, Maryland. It was an emotional memorable night at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement tip-off celebration and Awards Gala last night in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Dante Robinson | Senior NBA Analyst for The NSR Network
