PROMO: Melo's Top 10 On Court Moments

Melo's best moments on the court.

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With four Hall of Famers drafted within the first five picks, the 2003 NBA Draft might be the most talented of all time. With career averages of 25, 6 & 3, and a playoff appearance in every season, Carmelo Anthony is determined to take his place at the front of that group. Considering his recent move to New York and new opportunities, there’s still time for him to reach that goal. But for now, he’ll have to settle for a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous scorers and a look back at the Top 10 moments of his career. Enjoy.

10. 20-20

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When: November 15, 2010

What Happened: 20 points & 22 rebounds v. Phoenix Suns

One of the consistent knocks on Melo’s game is that he doesn’t rebound enough for a player of his size and skill. One of the teams who hasn’t said this are the Suns. In a loss early last season, Anthony gobbled up every board in sight against a thin Phoenix frontcourt, finishing with 22 to go along with his usual 20+ points on the night. It was the first 20/20 game of his career, but with Melo now playing under former Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni in New York, it wouldn’t be so surprising to see another.

9. 40/40

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When: October 29, 2009

What Happened: Back to back 40 point games to open 2009 - 10 season

A Denver Nugget hadn’t scored 40 in consecutive games since Michael Adams in 1991. Apparently Carmelo found this out the previous summer and couldn’t wait to right that wrong. In just the second game of the season, Melo lit up the Blazers for 41 mesmerizing points. Yet his focus didn’t wane at all the following game against Memphis, as he bit the Grizzlies with 42. Two games, two 40 point outbursts, two wins. Eventually he’d settle down, averaging ‘only’ 28 PPG that year, but this was as potent as Melo had ever been.

8. Melo Beats the Wiz

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When: February 8, 2008

What Happened: 49 Points v. Washington Wizards

At its core, basketball is a pretty simple sport. Put the ball in the basket. Just keep shooting; sometimes you’ll make it, sometimes you’ll miss. Sometimes you’ll make 19-25 attempts (76%) for the second highest shooting percentage in a game over the last 13 years with at least 25 shots. Which is just what Melo did in his dismantling of the hapless Wizards back in 2008. Simple, right?

7. All That Jazz

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When: April 17, 2010

What Happened: Score playoff career high 42 points v. Utah Jazz, Game 1, Western Conference Quarterfinals

Denver fell just two wins short of an NBA Finals appearance in 2009, losing the Western Conference Finals in 6 games to the eventual champion Lakers. With that thought on his mind for an entire year, Melo couldn’t wait for another crack at a championship. So when the 2010 Playoffs commenced, he was ready. Utah clearly wasn’t. Anthony displayed the entire repertoire, weaving through and rising over Jazz defenders with surprising ease. Finishing with 42 points and a convincing win, his explosion would set a tone for the series, as Denver would win in 6 games.

6. Buzz Allyear

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When: April 6, 2006

What Happened: Multiple game-winning shots in 2006.

Back in 2006, even the most casual NBA fan knew that Kobe Bryant was the King of Crunch time. Ice water ran through his veins, he was unstoppable, blah, blah, blah. They were all wrong. Kobe was no slouch, but Carmelo was clearly better. Having sunk game winners against Houston, Phoenix, Minnesota and Indiana already that season, Melo faced off against the Mamba when the Lakers arrived in Denver. For those who’d paid attention, the outcome wasn’t surprising. Tie game, time running out, Melo pulling up from the wing. Game over. He’d finish the season 11-17 in game winning situations. Bryant? 7-32.

5. Empire State of Mind

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When: November 27, 2009

What Happened: Sets career high 50 points against New York Knicks

Long before any trade talks began, New Yorkers were quite familiar with Carmelo. Their uptempo play suited his capabilities perfectly and he was willing to show anyone who dared step in front of him. Melo lit up the Knicks for a career high 50 points en route to a Denver victory, but Chauncey Billups would share the glory as they became just the third pair of teammates in league history to score 50 and 30 points together. Those New Yorkers who missed it will have plenty of opportunities to see history repeat itself. And they’ll probably be much happier with the results.

4. Lift Off

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When: February 7, 2011

What Happened: Ties career high with another 50 points v. Houston Rockets

2011 was something of a lost year for Carmelo, as he exhibited some of his best moves maneuvering through the media. Everyone knew that Melo wanted to be traded and most were sure where he wanted to go. But he spent the season denying any and all reports of his departure. He was still a Denver Nugget and intended to play the good soldier. In order to prove it, just two weeks before the trade deadline, he declared war on the Houston Rockets. Making almost every shot, from nearly every angle, Anthony didn’t limit himself to just scoring, grabbing 11 rebounds in the game. Unfortunately, his 50 points weren’t enough for the win, but hopefully his last great performance as a Nugget was enough for Denver’s fans.

3. The King and I

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When: February 18, 2010

What Happened: 40 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 game winner v. Cleveland Cavs

Since their much heralded arrival together in 2004, LeBron James and Carmelo have taken drastically different paths. Bron’s unmatched skillset carried an undermanned Cavs team to new heights-and The Finals-in a depleted Eastern Conference, while Melo struggled to escape the Wild Wild West. But on those rare occasions when they match up against each other, Melo has always been eager to prove his worth. On this night in 2010, he was worth plenty. James was as great as ever, notching a 40 point triple double, however Melo hung 40 of his own on The King, including the game winner with just seconds remaining.

2. The Big...One?

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When: April 19, 2011

What Happened: 42 points v. Boston Celtics, Game 2, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

With the acquisition of Amare Stoudemire, Chauncey Billups and Carmelo leading to their first playoff appearance in seven years, the Knicks were primed to give Boston a run for their money. Until Amare went down with an injury early in Game 2, joining a previously injured Billups on the bench. But Melo came to play regardless, turning the vaunted Celtic defense into little more than a bunch of bystanders. Tying a previous career playoff high with 42 points and filling in for Amare’s absence with another career playoff high 17 rebounds, Melo was a man possessed. In the end, however, Boston’s collective depth proved to be too much for Anthony’s heroic effort to overcome. The Knicks would lose this game, and ultimately, the series, but New York got a glimpse of why Melo was worth the wait.

1. Wolf Gang? Kill Them All

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When: December 10, 2008

What Happened: 33 point quarter v. Minnesota Timberwolves

An impeccable mid range game, effortless accuracy from deep, fluid as any pivot in the post and absolutely lethal in the open court. Carmelo Anthony’s name is frequently mentioned when discussing the league’s most versatile scorers. The Minnesota Timberwolves certainly heard his name plenty on this night. 12-15 from the floor along with a few successful trips to the free throw line, Melo turned the third quarter of this contest into a game of Pop-A-Shot, practically daring defenders to stop him and even taking requests from the local broadcasters. In just 12 minutes of play, Anthony scored 33 points, tying George Gervin’s 30 year old record and putting the game out of reach. Lockout or not, it might be quite a while before we see another performance like this again.

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