National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony's Top 5 Games In NY

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Carmelo Anthony is one of the most feared scorers in the NBA. Here are Carmelo Anthony’s five best performances with the New York Knicks.

Nov 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) looks on as Magic forward Tobias Harris (not pictured) pushed New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) into forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during a three point shot during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony arrived in a three-team deal that involved the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was hungry to play for a big-market team and the Knicks were yearning for a big-name talent.

The trade stands as one of the most captivating in NBA history because of the subsequent decisions and unfortunate injuries experienced by both teams. The Knicks got the talent they wanted in Anthony, but many conclude that it’s the Nuggets who “won” the trade.

Whether you believe that or not is debatable, but this is not: Since that 12-player trade in 2011, the Nuggets and Knicks have combined to win just one playoff series.

In those five years, Anthony and the Knicks have had their fair share of ups and downs. Since his arrival, the Knicks have a record just under .500 and are 7-14 in the playoffs. They were swept in 2011 by the Celtics, and had an abysmal first-round loss to the Miami Heat in 2012.

Anthony and the Knicks peaked in 2012-13 by winning 54 games. ‘Melo led the league in scoring and emerged as a viable MVP contender.

It looked like New York was destined to make a deep playoff push, but it lost to a young Indiana Pacers team in the second round in six games.

Everything crumbled after that. Since then, there’s been a lot of dysfunction. Anthony has gotten older and he’s fallen victim to the injury bug while the team has taken numerous losing seasons on the chin under multiple coaches.

But what’s interesting is Anthony has improved tremendously as an all-around player. In fact, he’s been his best when the Knicks, as a team, have been at their worst.

He’s become a more active rebounder (11.4 rebounds per 100 possessions compared to 9.6 in 2013), and attacks the rim with more efficiency instead of settling for contested perimeter shots. He also averaged a career high in assists and rebounds per 100 possessions last season.

He’s also grown into the leader in New York many envisioned he’d be. He’s taken Kristaps Porzingis under his wing and mentored the young players on the Olympic USA roster this summer as the de facto leader.

He’s also excelled off the court with his philanthropy. He’s been vocal on numerous social and political topics, such as racial inequality and police brutality. If there’s anyone who’s bought into a city, through the good and bad, it’s been Anthony.

While ANthony has yet to bring a championship to New York, he has a legitimate supporting cast around him for the first time in his career. There’s no reason to believe he doesn’t have a few more great seasons left in the tank, even at the end of his prime.

Regardless of what happens moving forward, he’s given fans memorable moments that have solidified his status as an all-time great Knick.

MELO DROPS 50 ON THE HEAT – APRIL 14, 2013

Yeah, I know—there was no LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. So what? You play with the guys available, and Carmelo Anthony happened to torch every single Miami Heat defender put in front of him.

The Knicks were on an eight-game winning streak, and Anthony wanted to make sure the team stayed hot against a depleted and still very good Heat team.

Anthony finished with 50 points on an uber-efficient 18-of-26 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 from 3-point land.Tthe Knicks won 102-90.

He didn’t do much in the rebound and assist department, but when you’re that en fuego shooting the rock, who cares?

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He scored the game’s first eight points facing little to no resistance from Udonis Haslem. Miami tried Chris Bosh on him next, and ‘Melo bullied him for a fadeaway jumper to put him at double digits.

Then Miami enlisted their stopper, Shane Battier, to try and stop Anthony.

Nope.

Melo had it cooking from everywhere, and put in arguably his most efficient game as a Knick. His onslaught benefitted from point guard Raymond Felton and his ability to penetrate the defense and kick. Felton repeatedly drew two defenders on the pick and roll, split the two, caused the defense to collapse and sought out Anthony for wide open perimeter looks.

Anthony might not be this efficient every game this season, but this penetrate and dish approach is something Knicks fans should see more of with the addition of Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings.

KNICKS VS CELTICS: GAME 2 IN 2011 PLAYOFFS – APRIL 19, 2011

It’s tough to put this game on the list considering New York ended up being swept. Carmelo Anthony was simply electric, and almost willed the team to a Game 2 victory by himself.

Just look at the numbers.

Melo had 42 points on 14-of-30 shooting, leading the team in attempts. The stat lines for the other Knick leaders in attempts?

The rest of the Knicks shot a combined 9 for 24.

Anthony also grabbed 17 rebounds, more than any player and more than double of any teammate. He had nearly half the team’s total in assists (6). To top it off, he played 44 minutes and only committed one turnover.

‘Melo has gotten his fair share of criticism since his arrival in New York, but this playoff game was a prime example of Anthony not having a supporting cast, therefore shouldering the bulk of the scoring load.

It’s been a common theme for Anthony throughout his career. In this instance, New York could’ve tied this series at 1-1 if he had any type of production from his teammates.

Regardless of outcome, it was a masterful performance and his first shining moment in a Knicks uniform, giving fans a taste of what to come.

MELO GOES FOR 62 – JANUARY 25, 2014

There weren’t many things that the Knicks could be proud of prior to this record-breaking night.

The Knicks were plummeting in the Eastern Conference with a 15-27 record, and Carmelo Anthony was on pace to miss the postseason for the first time in his career. New York had lost the first three of their eight-game home stand. Pivotal frontcourt players Amar’e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin and Andrea Bargnani were all sidelined with injuries.

To make matters worse, Anthony was facing frequent questions in regards to his Knicks future as he headed into free agency that summer. Many questioned if he was sticking around for another year.

For just one night, those storylines didn’t matter.

Anthony scored 62 points on 23-of-35 shooting, breaking Bernard King’s Knicks record of 60 in 1984. It also eclipsed Laker guard Kobe Bryant’s infamous Madison Square Garden record of 61.

‘Melo also added 13 rebounds in the NBA’s highest scoring performance of the season.

I’m sure No. 7 noticed early that he was being guarded by Anthony Tolliver and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and said, “I’m going to have a field day.” Or maybe he was inspired by the video of Muhammad Ali that the Knicks watched as a team prior to the game.

Whatever the motivation was, ‘Melo couldn’t be stopped.

He was in double figures after five minutes, and had 20 points to Charlotte’s 21 after the first quarter. After the Bobcats refused to double-team him, Anthony continued his fiery output, scoring 17 points in the second including a half-court buzzer beater that pushed the Knicks lead to 21.

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Charlotte tried to double team once he hit 43 points in the middle of the third quarter, but the engine was already revving. He hit the 60-point total two minutes into the fourth, and eclipsed King’s mark with a leaning banker on the baseline with a little under 8 minutes to go.

The beauty of this performance is that Anthony displayed why he’s one of the NBA’s greatest perimeter scorers. He showed off his full shooting arsenal: jumpers, fadeaways, 3-pointers—you name it, Anthony made it.

It wasn’t an analytics expert’s wet dream. 19 of his 35 shots were from midrange. He made six 3s and only attempted four shots at the basket. You could even argue it was the same quintessential jab-fake, one-on-one basketball that has made Anthony such a divisive figure in basketball circles.

It was the most Carmelo Anthony game ever.

The difference was the efficiency. He made 20 of his first 26 shots—a characteristic we can’t always attribute to his legend. If the game wasn’t as out of hand, there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t have hit the 70-point mark.

SIDENOTE: One of the parts about watching this game was listening to how many times Walt Frazier described Melo’s shooting as “intoxicating”. Even in the truncated clip above, he uses the adjective three or four times.

After watching, who can blame him?

MELO PULLS OUT A MIRACLE ON EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 8 2012

Carmelo Anthony’s 62-point game was special, but when people talk about the most memorable Knicks games of the past decade, this might top the list.

New York was 28-27 and sitting in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks needed a statement win, and they were facing a top-seeded Chicago Bulls team that featured 2011 MVP Derrick Rose and a supporting cast primed for a deep playoff run.

To start the game, New York looked like title contenders. ‘Melo hit his first five shots, and looked as energetic as I’ve seen him in a Knicks uniform. Strong defense transitioned into quality baskets on offense. At one point, the Knicks were leading 27-6. Chicago would eventually close the gap to 8 at halftime, but Carmelo finished with 22 points on 8-13 shooting.

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In the second half, the Bulls mounted a comeback. Rose scored 14 points in the third quarter, including three 3-pointers. Chicago grabbed the lead in the final minute of the period, and eventually pushed their lead to 9 after a Rose four-point play with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter.

Down 10 with 3:45 to go, New York had its back against the proverbial wall.

And then a miracle happened.

Chicago wouldn’t score again in regulation as the Knicks rang off 10 unanswered points, seven of them from Anthony including a 30-foot 3-point bomb to tie the game with 11.2 seconds to go.

In overtime, Rose and Anthony battled to the nail back and forth with insane (read: insane) shots, but it was a Rose mishap that led to Anthony putting the stake in Chicago’s heart.

After J.R. Smith stole the ball from Rose with 45 seconds left, the Knicks got possession. After two misses by Anthony, a missed 3-point attempt by Smith and multiple offensive rebounds by Tyson Chandler, ‘Melo had the ball with 15 seconds.

Guarded by Luol Deng, he dribbled slowly to the right side of the court, and pulled up quickly from 30 feet out.

The rest is history.

Anthony finished with 43 points on 16-of-31 shooting and seven rebounds.

This game had everything. It was a blowout, then an invigorating nail-biter. Scoring from the superstars. Rose circus shots and four point plays. Anthony’s house-money 3-pointers and late-game heroics.

There were inexplicable mishaps (Rose and Deng both missing two free throws apiece to seal the game in regulation?), questionable coaching decisions and referee calls. It was the most beautiful, ugly, intense and entertaining non-playoff Knicks game that I can remember.

It was Anthony who shined in New York’s bright lights and it remains his magnum opus. This game was exhilarating and competitive, independent of ‘Melo’s feats. There was more at stake for the Knicks as a whole, especially against a superior team and Anthony delivered when it counted.

MELO PUTS UP 41 IN BITTERSWEET GAME 4 WIN – MAY 6, 2012

There weren’t many people giving the New York Knicks a chance in this series, and technically, they didn’t have one. New York lost the series in 5.

But Game 4 was the most improbable victory in recent Knicks playoff history, considering the circumstances. That’s why it tops the list of Carmelo Anthony’s Top 5 performances as a Knick.

The Knicks were flat out depleted and overmatched. Shooting guard Iman Shumpert tore his ACL in Game 1. A’mare Stoudemire punched a fire extinguisher in frustration after Game 2’s loss, lacerating the palm of his right hand, requiring a cast for the rest of the series.

Jeremy Lin tore his meniscus prior to the playoffs and Tyson Chandler was recovering from the flu.

Not to mention, the Knicks had lost the first three games by an average deficit of 20 points. New York was on pace to lose its 14th consecutive playoff game.

It was a circus.

Both teams shot below 43 percent, and we’re held under 90 points. There were 23 fouls called in the second quarter alone. That lack of fluidity halted both teams, and it was reflective in the frigid shooting. Take ‘Melo out of the equation and the Knicks shot 17-of-46 from the field.

But Stoudemire, cast and all, came through as the perfect scoring option, contributing 20 points and 10 rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting. Melo had 41 points on 15-of-29 from the field, six rebounds and four assists, but it was Stoudemire’s timely buckets that allowed New York to stay close and gave Anthony some breathing room to operate.

There were somber moments, as well. Starting point guard Baron Davis suffered a gruesome knee injury in the third period that, as of right now, ended his NBA career.

But New York was able to regain its composure behind Melo’s guidance, holding onto a 3-point lead going into the fourth.

From there, it pretty much became the ‘Melo and Co. show. Anthony showed off his clutch gene with timely shots and Stoudemire attacked and got to the free throw line. There was even a Mike Bibby sighting, as he hit a 3-pointer to break the 81-all tie in the fourth.

This game was clearly an outlier in a series that Miami dominated handily, but it was almost symbolic of how resilient that 2011-12 team was, despite all their shortcomings and misfortunes.

They knew it was a long shot to win the series, but they fought and persevered, giving the crowd their first playoff win since 2001.

It was also the precursor to what we’d see from ‘Melo as a player and leader, as he would lead the Knicks to a 54-28 record the following season. Cheers to hoping the Knicks see some postseason success in 2016-17.

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