Words by Roman White
In Saturday’s 121-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Carmelo Anthony became the 21st player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points. Melo reached the milestone at the free throw line, and ultimately finished the game with 21 points going 8 for 21 from the field, netting 2 of his six attempted three pointers in his 35 minutes of play.
Melo’s 25,000 career points are just another accolade to add to his basketball career along with having the most gold medals of any Men’s basketball player, ending Kevin Durant‘s scoring title streak in the 2012-2013 season and winning the National Championship with the Syracuse Orangemen among many other accomplishments in his 15-year career.
The high-powered scorer, who is considered one of the greatest scorers of this generation, now has a career 25,004 points leaving him 4,996 points shy of a very exclusive 30,000 points club that his 2003 draft rival, LeBron James, reached less than a week ago becoming the youngest player to ever do so. Dirk Nowitzki is the only other active NBA player to have reached 30,000 career points, which he achieved last season.
“It’s a special moment, man just to be a part of a class like that and knowing all the hard work that goes into accomplishing that goal,” said Melo in his post game interview. “I never dreamt of having 25,000 points. It’s a testament to all the guys i’ve played with throughout the years, the guys i’m with now, the dedication to this game of basketball. The good part is i’m still going, i’m still at it.”
Anthony, who is now on his third NBA team after leaving the New York Knicks this past offseason was not voted in onto the NBA All-Star team after eight straight seasons of making the cut. Now in his 15th season, Melo has found himself on a NBA finals contender playing with last year’s MVP Russell Westbrook, and star Shooting Guard Paul George. Melo is hoping to have a run at an NBA title, an accolade that has long alluded the deserving athlete.
