Carmelo Anthony NBA return, after a remarkable 19 seasons in the NBA, declared his retirement on May 22, 2023. Despite concluding the 2021-22 season without any team signing him, effectively signaling the end of his NBA journey.
Recently, The Hoop Centrol, a prominent presence on X, circulated a fictitious announcement attributed to Carmelo Anthony NBA return, purportedly originating from Instagram.
Carmelo Anthony’s recent IG post seems to indicate the 10x All-Star is coming out of retirement for another chance at a ring. ?
Would you want to see Melo back in the league?
(via carmeloanthony/IG) pic.twitter.com/uyMW8s0XtQ
— The Hoop Centrol (@TheHoopCentrol) September 4, 2023
The caption read:
“Giving this one more shot. #StayMe70”
A similar photo, but with a distinct message, had been posted on the 10-time All-Star’s Instagram account several months prior:
View this post on Instagram
“If you can learn to enjoy repetition, you can achieve what normal people think is impossible. #STAYME7O”
At the time of the online post, Carmelo Anthony had not yet made his retirement announcement. It’s conceivable he was exploring the possibility of another NBA season before ultimately deciding to retire.
Anthony spent one season with the LA Lakers, sharing the court with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. Over the course of 69 games, he maintained averages of 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. Despite these respectable numbers, he remained unsigned throughout the 2022-23 season.
Just when it seemed his NBA career had reached its conclusion, “Melo” officially retired during the previous season’s playoffs. He received an outpouring of admiration from both current and former players for his remarkable career achievements.
Moreover, Anthony has been enjoying his post-professional
basketball life, dedicating more time to his son, Kiyan Anthony, who is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue an NBA career.
Is Carmelo Anthony deserving of first-ballot Hall of Fame induction?
Carmelo Anthony’s illustrious 19-season NBA journey didn’t include an NBA championship. Nevertheless, his statistical achievements undeniably merit first-ballot Hall of Fame recognition.
He stood out as one of the league’s premier and most prolific scorers, boasting 14 seasons with averages of 20 points or more per game and securing the scoring title in the 2012-13 season. Anthony’s career scoring average of 22.4 points per game surpasses those of several esteemed Hall of Famers.
Comparatively, Charles Barkley concluded his career with a scoring average of 22.1 points per game and similarly fell short of an NBA championship. Anthony, a NCAA champion with Syracuse, also boasts three Olympic gold medals, while Barkley possesses two.
Anthony’s career scoring average surpasses those of other Hall of Famers like Alex English, Billy Cunningham, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Bob McAdoo.
Presently, he stands as the sole member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team who has yet to enter the Hall of Fame. This is anticipated to change in 2026 when the six-time all-NBA selection becomes eligible.
Carmelo Anthony’s contributions to the game have arguably been somewhat underestimated. Nonetheless, he is likely to receive the recognition he rightly deserves upon joining the ranks of basketball’s most illustrious players in the Hall of Fame.
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