Carmelo Anthony to the Hall of Fame: What he did and didn’t do for success

The Legacy of Carmelo Anthony: A Basketball Icon in the Hall of Fame

Hakim Warrick still remembers his first impression of Carmelo Anthony, more than two decades ago, before a pickup game at Syracuse University. Warrick, upon seeing Anthony on the court at Manley Field House in the summer of 2002, couldn’t help but be skeptical.

“I looked at him and thought: ‘Is this little chubby guy the one everyone is so excited about?’”

Hakim Warrick

However, the then-sophomore soon understood why. The talented Baltimore forward demonstrated a complete game, quickly establishing himself with 27 points in his college debut against Memphis at Madison Square Garden. Anthony’s only season at Syracuse was an unprecedented success, leading the team to a 30-5 record. He scored more points than any freshman in program history and became the first freshman in NCAA history to be named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, leading Syracuse to its first and only basketball title in 2003.

“He stands out,” said Jim Boeheim, Syracuse’s long-time coach. “We’ve had great players… but Carmelo won. It’s simple. He was a great player and he won.”

Jim Boeheim

Although there were no more championships in his 19 seasons in the NBA, Anthony enters the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, leaving an indelible mark. His impact goes beyond the rings, being defined by his achievements and the path he forged. Anthony is tenth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 28,289 points. In addition, he is third on the USA Basketball all-time scoring list, with four Olympic medals, including three gold. His impressive career includes 10 All-Star selections, six All-NBA selections, and a place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

In the image: Stephen A. Smith believes Melo would have 3 rings if he had played with LeBron and Wade.

“What if…?” Melo’s Alternative Paths

Anthony’s career is full of questions. One of the key moments was draft night, where LeBron James was selected at number 1 by Cleveland, leaving Anthony available to the Denver Nuggets at number 3. Chauncey Billups, former Pistons player, believes things could have been very different.

“I really believe that if we had recruited Melo that year, we would have won at least three championships”.

Chauncey Billups

Another “what if” scenario arose when Anthony was at the peak of his career and was presented with the opportunity to join James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in 2010. However, Anthony decided not to risk being the fourth option on a team, opting to go his own way.

“Imagine being 23 or 24 being the fourth option on the team when I lead my team every year? I don’t know how I was going to do that mentally. So I said, ‘No, I can’t be the fourth’”.

Carmelo AnthonyIn 2008, Anthony met with James, Wade, and Bosh at the Beijing Olympics, where his scoring ability and leadership skills were crucial to the success of the “Redeem Team”.

“Carmelo, from day one, was going to score, and the Olympic 3-point line is even shorter, so it was even easier. He could just come in and, I don’t even know how many times, but it seemed like every time he came in, he made a shot. His first shot. He made a three, he made it. Like, every time. He was a natural Olympic scorer.”

Jim Boeheim

Jason Kidd, the starting point guard for the 2008 US Team, highlighted Anthony’s importance to the team’s chemistry, smoothing tensions between Bryant and James, who did not have a prior relationship. Three years later, he began his stint in New York, where he led the Knicks for 7 and a half seasons. Although they didn’t win the championship, the city was revitalized. Anthony became an icon of the franchise, with his three-finger celebration being imitated throughout the league.

“There’s something to be said about, ‘OK, I’m going to lead a group on my own.’ He did it. Obviously, first in Denver, and they had good teams, it’s just that there were better teams at the time. And the same with New York, where it takes a certain level of ambition and confidence to be able to do that. ‘I’m going to go to the Knicks and try to revive and put that franchise on top again after years of struggle’”.

Pau Gasol

Gasol also reflects on a hypothetical situation: what would have happened if Anthony hadn’t suffered a foot injury that forced him to leave the Blazers? Gasol’s injury gave Anthony the opportunity to return and prove his worth, adding 2,738 points to his career total. He retired four years ago and still has the most game-winning shots in the last five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime (18) since the statistic began being recorded in 1996-97. His Olympic legacy includes two more gold medals in London and Rio, and he still holds the U.S. single-game scoring record in an Olympics, with 37 points against Nigeria in 2012. “Otherworldly,” Boeheim said of Anthony’s performance.

“I wasn’t afraid of the moment. I wanted the ball. I think everyone knew that when I had the ball, I was going to shoot, not pass”.

Jason Kidd

Anthony’s Syracuse championship still resonates, and the freshman preseason games are no longer played at the Manley Field House, but at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. A legacy built by the “little guy”.

“Everything happened as it was supposed to, I guess. His career is as good as it gets”.

Chauncey Billups