Carmelo Anthony didn’t take long to start working his way up the all-time leader boards when he returned to the NBA for the Portland Trail Blazers last week. Already having 25 thousand points under when he joined this team, in the game against the Bulls he passed Alex English for 18th all-time in total points.
Everyone knows Carmelo Anthony is an all-time great scorer. In his 17th season in the league he’s now at the point where records are coming easily to him. After moving into 18th place on the all-time scoring list, how far away is he from moving up further in his time on the Portland Trail Blazers?
Melo passed Alex English in the Blazers last game against the Bulls, he now has 25,615 points. For all your stat nerds out there you’ll be happy to know there is a logjam around the position Melo is in now, all the way to where Hakeem Olujawon sits in 11th spot. Below are the players standing in Melo’s way if he stays in the NBA this season.
17. Kevin Garnett – 26,071
Nicknamed ” The big ticket ” Kevin Garnett had a storied 20 year career in the NBA and finished with massive career totals in many categories. It’s conceivable to think that Melo will average 16 points a game and play 60 out of the 64 games remaining in the season. This will give him about another 1000 points on his career total. Enough to pass one of Minnesota’s finest in only a few months.
16. John Havlicek – 26,395
NBA legend, the late John Havlicek was an integral part of the Boston Celtics title-winning teams in the 1960s and 70s, winning an amazing eight championships. Melo is in reach of 16th spot if he can stay fit and continue to score efficiently.
15. Paul Pierce – 26,397
Another Celtics legend sits next on the all-time scoring list. Paul Pierce terrorized defenses for 20 years in the NBA as a member of most notably, the Boston Celtics. A long-time competitor of Melo in the 2000s, Melo can eclipse his point total this season also.
14. Tim Duncan – 26,496
Another long-time competitor of Melo’s in the 2000s as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players to ever grace an NBA court. Melo will need to be on his game to the tune of at least 16 points a night to pass Duncan this season.
13. Dominique Wilkins – 26,668
Another all-time great is next on this list. High flying Dominique Wilkins wowed crowds with his dunking ability in the 1990s. Wilkins point total is right at the limit of what Melo can do. Unless Melo he break out and average 20 points plus a game he is unlikely to move any further than 14th or 13th.
Dont get it twisted, being top 20 all-time in scoring is an amazing achievement. But Melo has stated he isn’t finished yet. He wants to play next year, and even finish his career with a title if he can play for the right team.
Melo could conceivably finish in the top ten all-time in scoring, if he doesn’t then he will still go down as a first ballot hall of famer. For now he is on the Blazers and we are loving it!