Associated press4 minute read
Brian Windhorst: Carmelo is a first-round Hall of Famer
As Carmelo Anthony announces his retirement, Vince Carter and Brian Windhorst look back on his career.
Carmelo Anthony, the star forward who led Syracuse to an NCAA championship in his only college season and spent 19 years in the NBA, announced his retirement Monday.
Anthony, who was not in the NBA this season, is retiring as the No. 9 leading scorer in league history.
Only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal scored more than Anthony, who finished his career with 28,289 points.
“Now the time has come for me to say goodbye…to the game that gave me purpose and pride,” Anthony said in a video message announcing his decision – one he called “bittersweet. “.
Anthony’s legacy has long been secure: he is ending his playing days after being selected as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history, 10-time All-Star, a former champion scorer and a six-time All-NBA selection.
And though he never reached the NBA Finals — he only played in the Conference Finals once, with Denver against eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 — Anthony also knew what he was up to. was like being a champion.
He was the most notable player in the 2003 Final Four when he led Syracuse to the title, and he helped USA Basketball win Olympic gold three times – in Beijing in 2008, London in 2012 and Rio. of Janeiro in 2016.
Anthony has played 31 games in four Olympic Games appearances, the most for any American male player of all time. Anthony’s 37 points against Nigeria in the 2012 games is a USA Basketball Olympics men’s record, as are his 10 3-pointers in that game and his 13-for-13 effort from the foul line against Nigeria. Argentina in 2008.
He will remain in international basketball for at least a few more months; Anthony is one of the ambassadors of the Basketball World Cup, FIBA’s biggest event, which will take place this summer in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
“I remember the days when I had nothing, just a ball in the field and a dream of something more,” Anthony said. “But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong, my communities, the cities I represented with pride, and the fans who supported me along the way. I am forever grateful to these people and places because they made me Carmelo Anthony.”
Anthony was drafted No. 3 overall by Denver in 2003, part of the star-studded class that included James at No. 1, Hall of Famer Chris Bosh at No. 4 and future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade – he is officially registered this summer – at No. 5.
Anthony will join them in the Hall of Fame shortly. He averaged 22.5 points in his 19 seasons, spending most of those years with Denver and the New York Knicks. Anthony has long raved about his time with the Knicks and what it was like to play at Madison Square Garden, especially as a Brooklyn-born kid.
“The Garden,” Anthony said in 2014. “They call it Mecca for a reason.”
Anthony also played for Portland, Oklahoma City and Houston, and he finished his career with the Lakers last season. He didn’t sign this year, and now his retirement is official.
He said in his retirement speech that he looked forward to seeing the development of his son, Kiyan, a much-loved shooting guard in high school.
“People ask me what I think my legacy is,” Anthony said. “It’s not my exploits on the court that come to mind, all the accolades or accolades. Because my story has always been about more than basketball. My legacy, my son… I will forever continue to through you. The time has come for you to carry this torch.”
