How Good Was PRIME Carmelo Anthony?

[@jonnyarnett]

How much would prime Melo average in today's game?

[@TheEndoKenzo]

34 for a season and then average around 28

[@BrayanSaverino]

Ima say a solid 31.2

[@BrayanSaverino]

He’d get more fts

[@Spectrahx]

I feel like his iso high-post offense may not be as successful in this era, I think he played during the perfect era for his play-style.

[@JasonZhao4711]

Maybe 30 a game, but his team won't be very successful because his style isn't a great fit in today's game

[@Lloyd00]

That Lakers and nuggets series was one for the ages. I can remember watching every game stressed cuz Melo was going toe to toe with Kobe

[@jameglittlejohn8585]

Top 5 favorite series. I’m convinced that if the Nuggets would’ve won that series, they would’ve won the title.

[@donavonzerbest9530]

As a result of that seriers, my older sister, my pops and myself payed for a brick at the entrance, at the time Pepsi center, as season ticket holders saying "Zerbest family can feel it - BEAT L.A."

[@rfpchar]

It was close series despite being until 6games only. Other series I like is the houston one without yao.

[@Flacco79]

That was one of the most physical series I ever witnessed, Kobe & Melo had to be using Ice bags after each game. Sheesh 🙄

[@Spectrahx]

Looks like I went on lunch right on time to catch this video.

[@amanidlaw]

literally😅

[@GleenwoodEABaby]

Same 😂😂

[@kingdeedee]

Melo wasn’t just a skilled scorer, he was a totally relentless one. His ability to sniff out his own misses and get mix it up with bigs for offensive boards was incredibly underrated especially at his peak

[@kingdeedee]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh all of Kobe, McGrady, Pierce, Iverson, and Carter never shot 50% a single season of their careers either. The 2000s to early 2010s was the most brutal era to score in and the only guard and wing scorers that could hit 50% were guys like Bron and Wade who were almost exclusively scoring in the paint. Please do a little research before you say dumb things on the internet

[@kingdeedee]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh translation: “my stupid ass just got shut the f*ck up, quick lemme try spin it so the other guy seems like he’s mad and crying about the idiotic statement I just made”

[@kingdeedee]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh aight bro

[@kingdeedee]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh aight bro

[@kingdeedee]

​@IGcantstopfactsbreh aight bro (and I'll remain in parrot mode until you can provide a single reasonable take dummy. So probably forever)

[@showtimenick824]

One of the most gifted scorers we've ever seen, a guy who can score in a variety of ways but just didn't have the intangibles to lead a team to a championship. Melo was also a very underrated rebounder in his prime. He had multiple seasons of averaging 7 rebounds per game as a pure small forward, even once averaged 8 rebounds per game.

[@showtimenick824]

9:24 Amar'e actually missed the early part of the 2012-13 season because of the knee surgery. He was good to go by January but his knee problems completely depleted him at that point. He was already very suddenly and rapidly declining the year before.

[@Shawntrimble9501]

Been waiting years for this vid tbh, Melo was literally my favorite player growing up. Basketball hasn't been the same for me since he retired. 😪

[@ElPerroGrandeNessi]

Me too dawg

[@jameglittlejohn8585]

Same!!!!

[@shamarbeckham2643]

Same

[@ockhamsblazer]

same here

[@davincerica7232]

Every true fan loved watching Melo!

[@jlui21]

-- johnny summed it up. Great offensive player but where's the defense. Melo earned a Top 75 player of all time but...finished in at #63.

[@billblaski9523]

4:35 i dont know why but i could've sworn that Kobe said the hardest person for him to ever guard was Tracy McGrady

[@Thickercarton]

You would be right, I think maybe Melo was the hardest at that time since TMac had already been in decline

[@billblaski9523]

Lol those Carmelo and Iverson years with the Nuggets were a fun 2 years

[@ElPerroGrandeNessi]

Yessir was waiting on this one!!!!

[@滋榎本]

The Detroit Pistons should have selected Carmelo Anthony in the 2003 NBA Draft. Although Carmelo never won a championship ring during his playing days, he is still one of the best scorers in NBA history.

[@tmac731]

Pistons might have 3peated from 2094-2007

[@Boss3Nate]

Prime Melo had that bounce and explosiveness as well.!! He lost that too early in his career

[@hunterthurmond4771]

Yea in a way you could make a case Melo as a whole was a early bloomer kinda

[@Boss3Nate]

@@hunterthurmond4771 yeah for sure. I agree with what he said in the video. Him gaining weight was a factor in that. If he stayed in crazy shape I'm sure his career would've lasted longer.

[@DaRealAw3s0m3]

As a die hard nuggets fan since 1994 Carmelo Anthony was not the sole reason the Nuggets went to the western conference finals.. before the nuggets acquired Chauncey Billiups the nuggets couldn’t get out of the first round of the playoffs

[@Spencer-x9i]

Thank you!!! Finally a Melo Piece!!! I think I’ve asked about 4 times 😂✊🏾

[@JadenSmithEyes]

Melo x Pistons would have been unreal in the 2000s. Would have completely reshaped that decade

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

Ι agree. As a Pistons fan, Darko's choice over Melo still bothers me

[@codyeble0713]

They wouldn't even have a ring.. his style of play would take their complete team game outta wack and they were an all-time defensive team, he would have hurt that too

[@denjiurameshi4699]

Amongst SF Melo- had the best footwork, probably the best low post scorer. Bron- the most physically dominate and durable player. Durant- Easiest scorer and best 3 lvl talent at the position. Kawhi- Fundamentals not flashy just repetion for every shot and pump fake he makes. PG-13 Probably has the best handles at the position with the most gracious game. Bird- Best rebounder and arguably the best passer too Pippen- Best defender

[@supratrd900]

One of the best at the time. Just like what everyone says he doesn't play defense. As the years goes on it seem as if he's getting more and more underappreciated. I'm from Denver and i remember during the Iverson acquisition. People here was thinking Melo teaming up with the Answer would of been the key to Denver winning it all that year. Only to finish with the 8th seed and get swept by Kobe and the Lakers.

[@Perciprius_91]

To be fair, the West was extremely competitive that season of 07-08. Every team that made the playoffs all won at least 50 games.

[@aznpikachu215]

When egos come into play, you ain't going to win.

[@BrayanSaverino]

Love ur vids

[@JasonZhao4711]

On offense, he's almost as good as KD, but his defense and lack of basketball IQ/awareness stopped him from being greater. Not a 1st ballot hall of famer, in my opinion

[@tylercanton3836]

lol like y’all opinion matters

[@londonstackhouse4145]

Melo 🏀🏀🏀🐐🐐🐐

[@forgotten6263]

Carmelo could have taken his talent to Northeast, joined KG, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rondo and played some brotherhood basketball as well. Or if he preferred, he could have joined Kobe and chilled out while getting rings.

[@2KDUDE22]

Ugh bringing back bad memories of iso dribble dribble shoot pull up jumper with 7 seconds left on shot clock, oh those Phil Jackson knicks were a mess

[@terrenceliburd8655]

I believed that Dwayne Wade would be better than both James, and Mello because he played more college ball than both and after i saw Wade get a triple double in the NCCAA tournament i said " hes the one".

[@the_Sage71]

You were partially right. Wade was as good as any pf them at his peak or prime. His knee injuries that started back at Marquette took their toll on his longevity.

[@cwvos]

Melo was an ***Isolation Master*** On the hardwood❗️No one could contain him One on One....🏀▪️

[@TheDwightMamba]

His greatest weakness was that he played iso-ball in a team sport and refused to adapt accordingly.

[@cwvos]

@TheDwightMamba Can't disagree Yo. Might have won a chip or two if he did...

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

One of my favourite players ever. Great offensive arsenal. I have his Knicks jersey

[@Midplaysfordays]

Always wishes Billups got there earlier I think if they had a couple more years of playing together in their primes they could've got it done

[@jaimelawrence5076]

All the more reason why he should've been able to join the pistons as a rookie , would've been incredible

[@adomispossible]

Let's go I was Early hey Johnny Arnett

[@adomispossible]

Let's go I got a heart

[@markjackson6431]

so the Knicks would’ve been better off if they just waited to sign him in FA (even if he was making a fuss to go to leave Denver asap)?

[@217ShowOffBoii]

Yes, cause NY was doing just fine without him. STAT was playing like an MVP and Raymond Felton was having an All-Star season but unfortunately, they gutted their team to get Melo. Pre-Melo Knicks had a squad up to that point.

[@Typ3_alpha]

I think there was a potential threat of him signing with the nets. Thats why ny pulled the trigger. Still a dumb move

[@codyeble0713]

Paul George also said he was one of the hardest to guard talking about his post ups and throwing his weight... He was like he gonna give you 30 and its gonna hurt lol

[@strgametakes3699]

One of my favorite players you know that. My question to you is should the Nuggets retire his number, remember Jokic also wears 15 but he also brought us into relevancy.

[@GreenChina-wu8wy]

Jokic he got them a ring plus his better than melo it’s disrespectful to jokic

[@terrenceliburd8655]

He reminds of Paul Pierce they didnt look athletic but would give you the bizzy-ness in the court.

[@cryingfish2488]

If I could describe Melos career in one phrase I would say... "Wasted potential" It's not that he was bad a defense. It's that there was no effort to grow on that area. He had great basketball instincts and there was no reason why he shouldn't have been a triple double threat every night. He was elite at the most flashy part of the game. And didn't give professional effort to grow in any other aspect. I rooted for him because I'm a Knicks fan. But it bothers me that he could have been so much better if he worked as hard as others. And the Knicks would've been better too

[@aminuabdullahi5922]

Great video as always a couple other things to add, for one I do believe if Melo was drafted to the pistons he’d have 1s if not 2 rings. And in interviews he’s stated he didn’t really want to leave the nuggets at first but what pushed him over the edge is after that 09 wcf run the overhauled all the key guys and that pissed him off.

[@diogosantos8645]

The player i enjoyed the most to watch

[@peternguyen2908]

I watched a ton of Carmelo Anthony and can’t remember a single defensive play. I would take prime Paul Pierce over prime Melo any day.

[@hunterthurmond4771]

Its crazy to think how great a scorer Melo was and im really not sure he was in shape probably 55-60% of his career

[@bsq_2x70]

Ppl fail to realize Melo got moved to the 4 back when PF’s were big & physical not to mention he injured his leg / ankle in Denver & NY regarding the addition of weight & loss of bounce

[@shrimpyjustin2691]

Love this video. You should make a video about jeremy lin next lol

[@mynamejot8623]

Its unfortunate because as melo aged the game shifted drastically away from how he played and what he was good at. Truthfully if the nba was the same as it was mid 2000s he would still be playing meaningful minutes

[@owensmith2137]

I saw him when he was on Portland once in Toronto. His clutch gene was on display and he was hitting a bunch of buckets

[@owensmith2137]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh That is a bummer for his career but the point stands he was a productive scorer

[@owensmith2137]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh Productive, not efficient. That Denver team was championship ready but they fell off and Melo never got that same help in the rest of his career. I would agree his career could be summed up this Chauncey Billups quote: "It meant too much because he could have games where he had 20, 22 [points], we win the game and he's mad. He might have 36 and he's in there, you know, we lose the game and he's in there picking everybody up."

[@donavonzerbest9530]

People who don't remember one of Stephan A's worst takes: Stephan A. Said he favorited the Nuggets out of the west once we got AI. I vividly remember Stuart Scott saying "Stephan A.'s favorite out of the west..." when talking about the Nuggets in the beginning of the season. (Mike & Mike also argued about this when the trade happened)

[@2KDUDE22]

In a sport where everyone gets in the hall of fame to embarrassment , he s def a hall of famer, but not an all time great, but I do think he deserves to be in there

[@august6281]

Prime Melo was a problem to his guard and team mates😀😀

[@JoshuaTraffanstedt]

A lot of folks hate on Melo. Not sure why. Dude was cold and an offensive threat any old day of the week. He excelled at what he was great at. He carved out his place in nba history and nobody can ever take that away from him. Just because he isnt the caliber of player Lebron, Kobe, or Jordan is its like people think hes no good. Lets be real, if LeBron didnt exist, Melo would be looked at a lot differently. Melo should have won rookie of the year too.

[@futureDreamer4]

Meko always got in his own way. He didn't want to play alongside Lin, he didn't go to Chicago, and he didn't want play alongside which he would have learned how to win.

[@joshuachang5210]

Melo’s scoring prowess is overrated. Other players praise him because they don’t keep track of the probability of those tough shots going in, and if they look good enough by eye test they respect it. However, for a volume scorer, Melo is one of the most inefficient, with the true shooting percentage close to league average. For reference, guys like Steph, Dirk, LeBron, Jokic, KD etc are like almost 10% better than league average, and ones who are less efficient like Kobe, Timmy or Embiid sit around the 5% mark as well. The only contemporary of Melo who’s even less efficient is Allen Iverson. One could very well argue that Melo isn’t the leader of the 2008-09 Nuggets, but Billups is. Billups made 7 straight conference finals and he did it with different rosters, sometimes without Sheed, sometimes without Big Ben. Melo could only win on a team where he doesn’t lead it, as exemplified by his stellar performance as a 3rd option or lower in the Olympics.

[@Editor_Hound]

He's a study case of a player who let his overinflated ego get the better of him, never bothered to adapt to the changing game and never accepted other roles wherever he went. Seen as a perennial winner at his draft class, ended up begging teams for tryouts.

[@MicahHampton-yh5wj]

My favorites basketball player ever

[@dark8prince201]

He made that number 15 Syracuse jersey look good

[@Los4rmdagang4]

Im a big Melo fan thank you for this

[@alex4833]

Awesome video! I would say prime Melo was very good. I remember him and Birdman and Billups and the rest of the Nuggets taking on Kobe, Gasol, and the Lakers. I agree that it was epic. I also remember Melo winning a few gold medals too. He def was one of the best during the 2000s. I def do wonder what it would have been like if he was on the Pistons. I concur that he would have won a championship much sooner. However, I do wonder what it would have been like for him to play with Larry Brown as coach. I believe that LeBron and/or other young players on the 2004 Olympic team said that Brown did not want to play ths younger players much. So, I can see there being much tension b/w Melo and Brown if he was with the Pistons. Awesome video again. Have a nice day, Jonny 😊

[@jclight2675]

Greatest triple threat game in nba history imo

[@derontoombs6533]

Melo had a crazy quick twitch second jump

[@alejanoelallen1952]

🏀

[@Digital_Dude2000]

Hot take: The Pistons would’ve stunted Melo’s development, as he would have been playing behind guys like Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace

[@rokopesa4725]

He was on one end of the floor

[@markjackson6431]

if the Pistons were drafting for position…why didn’t they go after Bosh? they still couldve gotten Sheed because they drafted guards for him. and Bosh would’ve been developed if Ben Wallace still left.

[@ikedatike2533]

Honestly, I'm very, very weary of most of the guys that were drafted after darko because of Larry Brown. Larry Brown does not like coaching rookies whatsoever and their development would have been stifled flip saunders however had a much better track record (RIP flip.)

[@aznpikachu215]

​@@ikedatike2533 That's a lot of old coaches. Phil Jackson doesn't like to coach rookies, same with Thibs.

[@ikedatike2533]

@@aznpikachu215 I know, but Larry Brown in particular has a very terrible relationship with rookies

[@Bigedub101]

​@ikedatike2533 exactly they Larry Brown don't and that why that 2004 team coached won bronze.. He rarely played the young rookies

[@Void7.4.14]

While he wasn't the best defender he was mad fun to watch in his prime. AI is one of my favorite players of all time and one of the most fun to watch imo but the two of em together was just not a great match, Curry and Klay (and even Durant) have had some serious success with the outside/outside tandem but what a player like Melo (and AI) really needs is at least one inside man to be an offensive rebounding machine that can tip in the occasional put-back and make up some of the defense they aren't playing well. 2 volume shooters on the same team on the floor at the same time just ends in a battle for touches where the inside man allows some of the 50-60% of missed shots a second chance or a finish at the rim. I'd have loved to see em both play with somebody like Tim Duncan, KG, or Dwight Howard to balance out their style. But yeah, unfortunately his decline was swift and hard to watch. It seemed like it happened overnight almost. We were stoked to have bro in NY but it didn't end well lol But it really almost seemed like he not only gave in to the excesses of fame and wealth but also just feeling defeated and giving up on any hopes of ever seeing a ring. He's always on my list of greats that never got a chip up there with Reggie, Ewing, Barkley, and others. Some slight tweaks to some of his teams though and he'd have been a nightmare 💯 Still a great player though and one of those championship

[@carlodeds]

My goat

[@schwanimal]

The Magic / Lakers finals series was closer than the 4-1 series would lead you to believe. Due to that- I do not think Nuggets are a shoe in to win the 2009 chip if they beat the Lakers. This is coming from a 30+ year Lakers fan, btw!

[@ChRosmania]

Someone would think, that past Michael Jordan draft, where Bogut ended as bust, managers would abandon "pick in draft any dude, that suits some position we lack" mentality for "pick the best dude we can, so we will not miss new MJ, at least we will trade him". But, nope, let's over and over pick a bust instead of a star :D

[@JD-xs2si]

Those 2 shots vs Chicago still hurt 😂😂

[@brhyno926]

Before I even watch the video..Yes lol. Agreed

[@nvm9040]

He going to the Knicks mid season hurt his future chances of succeeding in New York

[@andrealves6428]

Top 5 scorer of all time

[@ATroubledGreensLibrary]

🎉❤

[@GoodOmali]

Rhey should've played Melo at the 4 that 09 year in denver. He would've killed the 4's that year especially

[@tomaszzalewski8135]

Kobe contradicts himself. On one occasion he said that Trady McGrady was the hardest player to guard against, later he said it's Melo. Guess we'll never find out who it was in the end.

[@jonnyarnett]

He may have just changed his mind. Would have been cool to see someone put him on the spot and make him pick one.

[@ElPerroGrandeNessi]

Melo 100% should've won ROY... more points and led the team to the playoffs?!

[@SoggySlopster]

Yup. But sadly the whole agenda was about propping up Lebron even before he was in the league… he had everything go his way

[@daikiik]

Olympic Melo = GOAT

[@lilpenny1982]

Melo was a better version of Alex English

[@bagfumbler2849]

A pure hooper but the definition of “me before we” and that’s a big reason why he was never successful aside from the terrible management in NY.

[@neilmanansala399]

If Melo didn't have to face Kobe's Lakers in '09 (Kobe being one of the Top 10 players of all-time), then Melo would certainly be an NBA Champion. The Magic only made it to the Finals because Kevin Garnett (Celtics) was injured that post-season, and Dwight's Magic would have lost to the Melo+Billups Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Also, Melo FOR SURE should have won the Rookie of the Year award. LeBron only won it because of media hype. LeBron's Cavs missed the play-offs (only 1 seed short, but still), meanwhile Melo led the Nuggets to the play-offs, as the #1 Option, as a Rookie, in a MUCH tougher conference. The early/mid 2000s was the biggest disparity in Conference strength in League history, and LeBron still couldn't take the Cavs to the 8th Seed.

[@jackstraw522]

He never had the caliber of teammates he needed with the Knicks, I still think with some help he could’ve lead them to a championship

[@Naomi-m8w]

The Pistons would have been a dynasty for sure.

[@gwapsgarcia]

Hawks Legend

[@thelemonadelion4255]

carmelo is overrated but not as overrated as people say

[@Sayless2414]

extremely overrated

[@Boss3Nate]

@@Sayless2414 overrated to who.. you.... the media...? All ppl who are strangers to him and place their unrealistic expectations on him and if he doesn't meet them then he's overrated? hahahaha. I always find it hilarious when ppl call athletes overrated. You put the expectations on them. Carmelo Anthony dreamed of playing in the NBA like everyone watching this video. Melo made it... Player of the year in high school and college... top 3 NBA pick... 10 time all star... won a scoring title... 6 x all NBA... top 75 all time... what's overrated? Sounds like he won... hahahahahaha

[@bigbabysld]

@@Boss3Nate Listen, I love Melo, I am a Knick Fan...I mean is that considered his prime or the Nuggetts? He is a great scorer...I believe he still holds the record as the highest scorer Knick player in the Garden...63pts. I do have sum wishes...I do wish he was a better leader when he was on the Knicks, I never felt like he got in the teams ass enough. I don't think he had the proper support unit, Amar'e Stoudemire was a WASTE of a 110 million dollar contract. His fights with Phil Jackson.

[@Boss3Nate]

@@bigbabysld Denver in my opinion. He was more athletic then and still had his money jumper. Seemed like a better rebounder and help defender (steals) early in his career. I'm sure way less distractions as well and in better shape

[@Boss3Nate]

@IGcantstopfactsbreh sounds like you’re a pretty big Oprah fan. 🥴

[@williamgreen2507]

@jonny arnett do you honestly think he’s a top 75 player of all time?

[@gotwobag7876]

173,000!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@shanewise6769]

Kobe has said that stuff about multiple players

[@brycekamin]

Can u debunk the myth that the only thing melo could do was score?

[@marceloasensiofilho3833]

Lebron should not have won the Rookie of the Year award. Mello's year 1 was better than Lebron's. Lebron is WAY better overall but at year one Carmello Antony had a better season

[@mymountrushmore6235]

Prime Melo would have won a title if he had the right pieces around him. But he was a selfish player that u had to adapt to. He needed more men like Billups surrounding him.

[@T.H.E.O.R.Y.]

That's how you know we're getting old; you're making a video on how good Melo was. My friends and I were talking about Paul Pierce's buzz about there not being 5 SFs better than him and how he and KG would've done damage if they were paired earlier in therlir careers. All the usual names came up, and then I remembered Melo who, truth be told, was better bc they both basically only scored to be effective.

[@Renegade-kf8fp]

He was the lukaku of the nba

[@jimmyquan9388]

melo can find space between a phone book to get a bucket

[@217ShowOffBoii]

I love Melo but I hated how he forced his way to NY instead of waiting till the offseason. Maybe STAT would still have gotten bit by the injury bug and declined but regardless that Knicks team was solid and would've put up a better fight than they actually did. He made a few miscalculations in his career and I believe that was biggest one.

[@pauloigbokwe]

Great video as always Jonny but Carmelo wasn't 6'7

[@dark8prince201]

6'8

[@Domo-san]

First time I'm the first commenter. How abt that?

[@UncleGingersChronicles]

You guys don't get it, everything that happened in the nba was pre-planned. No player was allowed to overshadow Lebron James.

[@williamcorliss3664]

Just wanna help the video

[@maxmitchell4013]

Didn’t Kobe say Kd was the 1 guy he couldn’t defend, not melo?

[@nicoli-thenextup9866]

Yea the only reason they made wcf is cause of Chauncey billups point guard play has been the reason for his success but melo COUDNT see that

[@phoule76]

may have -came- come

[@cameronno6039]

09 DEN was highly overrated. They won like 2-3 more games and lost to the exact same team as the year before. Just because it was in a different round doesn't mean much.

[@cameronno6039]

@@JimBrave-ri1oc Sounds great, geezer. Thanks for your nonsensical input.

[@cameronno6039]

@@JimBrave-ri1oc Take your meds.

[@SuperSikarlo]

He was a great scorer, but his ego and personality made him a loser. No team, no defense.

[@toon5217]

Pssh imagine if Melo was rightfully drafted by the pistons 😮

[@Andrew-ms8md]

As great of a scorer as he was i never really liked his game. Not his game but i can't think of a better word at the moment. He just looked, for lack of a better word, clunky compared to other players. Other great players look more fluid and athletic and you can just tell they were built to be basketball players. I just never thought his relative lack of athleticism would age well.

[@stress.relief]

the pistons had one job