On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony was notified that he was being selected as a first-ballot Basketball Hall of Fame induction. While this was more of a formality for a guy who we all knew would be a Hall of Famer over a decade ago, it’s a great moment for one of basketball’s most iconic players. Although he never won as much as he should’ve, “Melo” was an icon for a generation of hoopers. His score-in-a-telephone-booth style of getting buckets as well as his infectious personality and textbook smooth jumper inspired thousands of young kids to pick up a ball. In his hometown New York area, he’s a hero to nearly everyone despite his rocky tenure as a Knick.
First ballot: Carmelo Anthony has been notified that he’s been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, sources tell ESPN. Anthony made 10 All-Star appearances and six All-NBA teams in 19 seasons to go along with three Olympic gold medals for Team USA. pic.twitter.com/b079xHPqZB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
Recapping Carmelo Anthony’s Knicks Career After HOF Induction
Carmelo Anthony was traded to the New York Knicks from the Denver Nuggets at the 2011 trade deadline. After spending nearly eight seasons in the Mile High City, where he grew quickly into superstardom, Melo decided it was time to come home and join the Knicks. Anthony never quite accomplished his ultimate goals in Denver, but he left many memories there, including a Western Conference Finals run where he squared off in an intense battle with Kobe Bryant.
In seven seasons with the Knicks, Melo posted 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 44.3% from the field and 36.9% from three. He earned All-Star honors in all seven of those campaigns and was routinely considered a top-10 player in the league for the first few years of his Knicks tenure. New York made the postseason in his first three seasons and won their first playoff series since 2000 in 2013. Unfortunately, from 2014 to 2017, NY missed the playoffs, leading to a disappointing end to Melo’s Knicks career. He was ultimately traded to Oklahoma City in the 2017 offseason amid a controversial relationship with the front office.
Melo’s 2013 Season Was an All-Time Great One
While Carmelo’s Knicks tenure ended with a whimper as he declined as a player and the team deteriorated around him, he did give the fanbase a few special seasons. He was still considered one of the game’s top superstars from 2011 to 2015, and his 2013 campaign was one of the best in franchise history. Anthony averaged 28.7 points and 6.9 rebounds on 44.9% from the field and 37.9% from deep. He won the scoring title and placed third in MVP voting while earning second-team All-NBA honors. Melo carried a somewhat undermanned Knicks squad to 54 wins, which remains the franchise’s best since 1996-97. (This year’s team could tie or beat that).
In an era of lower scoring, Carmelo put on an absolute clinic on his way to his only scoring title. He had seven 40-point games and a 50-piece. Knicks fans will always remember that game, as he scored 50 on the Miami Heat on all jumpers. Anyone who watched the game will swear to you that he never even grazed the rim that night. For a franchise that was this starved for a great player and team, this 2013 season will always hold a special place in the fanbase’s heart. It ended with a banged-up Melo losing in six games to an upstart Pacers team. Still, it was the best year for a generation of Knicks fans.
On this day in Knicks history, Carmelo Anthony dropped 50 points with zero points in the paint.
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— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2025
He Shouldn’t Be Blamed For The Losing
The common criticism of Carmelo Anthony always seems to be “Yes, he was good, but he never won anything”. While it’s fair to say that, as he only won three playoff series in his career, there’s important context. Firstly, Melo was an outstanding playoff performer. As a Knick, he averaged 28 points and 7.7 rebounds in 21 postseason games but was let down by a mediocre supporting cast.
More importantly, Anthony never lost a series as a Knick that he was expected to win. He can be blamed for forcing a trade to New York rather than waiting to sign in free agency. The trade gutted their roster and left him with little to work with. However, New York was a sixth and seventh seed in 2011 and 2012, losing to the big three Celtics and Heat in back-to-back years. Melo just didn’t have the help around him to compete with these championship rosters.
In 2013 New York was very competitive with Indiana, but the Pacers were the better team. Additionally, Anthony played through a shoulder injury which hampered his effectiveness, and his Knicks lost in six games. After that, NY’s front office simply failed to put a competent supporting cast around their star. It was a sad end to his time in the Big Apple but was also far from his fault.
What Carmelo can be criticized for is forcing a trade to New York in 2011 that gutted the roster. He also re-signed with the team in the summer of 2014, perhaps foolishly. It can be said that Anthony prioritized playing in his hometown over winning a championship. On the floor, however, he did all he could to carry the Knicks.
Photo credit: © Anthony Gruppuso-Imagn Images
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