Carmelo Anthony, one of the greatest players in the history of professional basketball has left an incredible legacy. He was just elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025. During his 19-year career, and in spite of himself, he became one of the game’s best goal scorers. He piled up 28,289 points over his career, averaging 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Despite his incredible achievements, Anthony’s journey has been marked by highs and lows.
Anthony began his illustrious career when the Denver Nuggets selected him as the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He proved an immediate force, though, as he averaged 21 points in his first season on the court. He ended up second in the 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year race, behind LeBron James. During his first eight seasons in Denver, Anthony showcased all of the tools that made him an elite scoring machine. This prodigious talent would eventually carry him to the 2009 Western Conference Finals.
In 2011, Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks, and he was just getting started. He had an all-time great season that 2012-13 campaign. During that season, he captured the NBA scoring title, averaging an astounding 28.7 points per game, leading the league. This accomplishment became a key focal point to his legacy. Most importantly, it gave credence to his standing as one of the league’s elite players.
In addition to everything Anthony added to the game beyond his NBA success, he was pivotal for Team USA basketball. He’s the man who won three Olympic gold medals. This accomplishment further proved his prowess on an international level, leading to a more versatile athlete’s case to fame. He won an NCAA national championship with Syracuse, proving his talent early on. This accomplishment became a historic leap in his college career.
Alongside many personal victories and point bombings, Anthony’s career has been marred by a lack of an NBA championship to defeat the critics howling at the void. Even that tarnished perception can’t undermine his lasting impact on the game and his contributions to the advancement of basketball. He retires with a remarkable legacy. His contributions to equality, justice and civil liberties will inspire all of us for generations to come.
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