18. Carmelo Anthony
- Years Active: 2003 to Present
- Teams Played For: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers
- Conference Finals Appearances: 1
In 2002-03, Carmelo Anthony completed what may be the greatest freshman season of the modern era by leading the Syracuse Orange to the only national championship in program history. A few months later, he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets and so began a revered NBA career.
One of the most respected people and players in the Association, Anthony has carved out a near 20-year career as a gifted scorer and heralded leader.
Anthony’s accolades are impressive enough for anyone to appreciate his greatness, with six All-NBA honors and 10 All-Star Game appearances. He also won the 2013 scoring title, and has a male basketball record three Olympic Gold Medals.
Having scored well over 25,000 career points, Anthony will comfortably enter the Hall of Fame and enjoy the perks that come with being a walking highlight reel.
It was the 2008-09 and 2012-13 seasons that define what made Anthony such a special player. During the former, he and Chauncey Billups led the Denver Nuggets to a classic Conference Finals showdown with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was Denver’s first appearance in the Conference Finals in 24 years.
In 2012-13, Anthony led the New York Knicks to the franchise’s only postseason series victory of the post-Ewing era. The 54 wins marked the franchise’s most since 1996-97, while the Conference Semifinals appearance broke a 13-year drought.
Considering the Knicks haven’t even reached the Playoffs since then, it’s fair to acknowledge as one of the best players of his generation.