NBA
Carmelo Anthony retires: did Melo ever win an NBA Championship ring?
One of the greatest scorers to feature in the NBA, but did he ever manage to slide a precious prize onto his talented fingers?
Everything good, and bad for that matter, has to come to an end sometime. And for fans of Carmelo Anthony, we now have the official news that we knew would eventually arrive. The 10-time All-NBA and six-time All-Star player from New York City has called it a day for his NBA exploits.
That’s right, today, Monday 22 May 2023, is when the man who played for six different NBA teams made the announcement, having last appeared on court in the 2021/22 season with the LA Lakers. After starting with the Denver Nuggets in 2003, Melo passed through the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers before noising up Los Angeles. But with such high acclaim, what shiny or other success can he look back on?
What did Carmelo Anthony win in NBA career?
Anthony boasts an impressive array of accolades throughout his career. With the aforementioned 10 NBA All-Star selections under his belt, he has consistently demonstrated his exceptional skills on the court. He earned this prestigious recognition in 2007, 2008, and consecutively from 2010 to 2017.
In addition to his All-Star appearances, Anthony has also been honored for his remarkable performance with various prestigious awards. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2010 and 2013, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the game. Furthermore, he has been selected for the All-NBA Third Team four times, in 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012, showcasing his consistent excellence throughout his career.
Anthony’s scoring prowess earned him the NBA scoring champion title in 2013, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most prolific scorers. Moreover, his outstanding performance during his rookie season led to his inclusion in the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2004, a testament to his immediate impact in the league.
Recognizing his immense contributions to the sport, Anthony was honoured with a well-deserved spot on the prestigious NBA 75th Anniversary Team, an elite group comprising the greatest players in NBA history. Moreover, his commitment to social justice and advocacy efforts were acknowledged with the NBA Social Justice Champion Award in 2021, highlighting his impact both on and off the court.
Before his professional career, Melo showcased his talents at Syracuse University, where he played a pivotal role in leading the team to an NCAA championship victory in 2003. His remarkable performance during the NCAA Final Four earned him the distinction of being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Additionally, he received recognition as a consensus second-team All-American and was honoured as the USBWA National Freshman of the Year in 2003.
Carmelo Anthony’s numerous accolades, including his NBA All-Star selections, All-NBA Team placements, scoring champion title, NCAA championship, and individual collegiate honors, underscore his extraordinary impact on the basketball world. But that one big question remains...
So, did Anthony every win an NBA Championship ring?
No. Melo can certainly be supremely proud of his achievements but he may look back with a hint of regret that he never picked up one of those shiny rings. He did get very close, though, when he made the Western Conference Finals with the Denver Nuggets in 2009.
As we know, however, plenty top players have ended their career without one. Ain’t that right, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, John Stockton...