On Monday morning, Carmelo Anthony, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, officially announced his retirement.
“I remember the days when I had nothing, just a ball on the court and a dream of something more. But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented with pride and the fans that supported me along the way. I am forever grateful for those people and places because they made me, Carmelo Anthony,” said Anthony in his retirement video over the Ghostface/Mary J. track “All That I Got Is You.”
Anthony said he was excited about the next chapter in his life and, in an emotional proud father moment, said that he was passing the basketball torch to his son, Kiyan.
“My legacy, my son, is in you. I will forever continue through you. Because the time has come for you to carry this torch,” said Carmelo. “My legacy, now and forever, lives on through you.”
Anthony remains one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen, and it all started in 2003.
After winning the National Championship with Syracuse that year, Anthony was projected to be the second overall pick by the Pistons. But Detriot shockingly passed him over for Darko Miličić and Denver wasted no time in selecting Carmelo with the third overall pick.
Melo immediately rewarded the Nuggets, averaging 21 ppg as a rookie and making the All-Rookie team in the 2003-04 season. Over the next eight seasons with Denver, Melo made four NBA All-Star teams and averaged 28.4 ppg.
Then in 2011, Carmelo, who was born in Brooklyn, was traded by the Nuggets to New York and Melo returned home in a city-wide celebration that began at MSG and continued across every borough.
In seven seasons with the Knicks, Melo made six All-Star teams (not including the 2011 All-Star Game with the Nuggets as he was traded after the weekend) and averaged 24.7 ppg and 7 rebounds, the latter the highest of his career.
And while he failed to bring the Knicks a championship and was mistreated by the media towards the end of his New York tenure, Melo remained a fan favorite whenever he returned to the Garden, even as a member of an opposing team.
Towards the end of his career, Melo’s isolation game lost favor as the game moved toward Steph Curry and deep threes. Yet his scoring prowess can never be denied.
Over 19 seasons, he scored 28,289 points and averaged 22.5 ppg. He won the league scoring title in 2013-14 (28.7 ppg), made 13 NBA Playoffs appearances, was named the NBA’s 2020-21 Social Justice Champion and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Melo last played in the NBA last season with the Lakers but didn’t receive much playing time. Since then, he’s focused on his various businesses and charitable endeavors and spending time coaching his son.
Now the question remains- will Carmelo make the Hall of Fame?
While we’ll all have to wait a few years before that’s answered, we all can agree on one thing- Melo was one of the most dominant scoring forces on the NBA hardwood and one of the nicest guys off of it.
So congrats Carmelo on your retirement. We look forward to seeing you around the streets of NY, and hopefully one day in Springfield.
