New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony passes Larry Bird on all-time scoring list

Published Jan. 21, 2016 3:29 p.m. ET

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With everyone talking about how much more Carmelo Anthony is passing this season, Melo snuck a pass through that many didn't realize was coming, eclipsing Larry Bird on the NBA's scoring list to move to 31st all-time.

Anthony sounded pretty excited about it after the Knicks' overtime win against the Jazz on Wednesday, in which he posted 30 points, nine assists and seven boards in a performance that flung him exactly two points ahead of Bird. Via Dylan Butler of UPI.com:

"Just to be on that list and to know I passed Larry, knowing what he did in his career and for this league, for me to pass him on that list, I don't really know how to put that in words," Anthony said after leading the Knicks to a 118-111 overtime win over the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

...

"The interesting thing for Melo is there's this land of opportunity out there that he has not quite accessed yet," Knicks coach Derek Fisher said.

Next up for Anthony is Gary Payton, who's only 20 points ahead of Melo on the scoring list. Then would be Clyde Drexler, Elgin Baylor and Adrian Dantley. It's all Hall of Fame-caliber players from here on out.

Including players with ABA careers, Anthony is actually 36th all-time.