Carmelo Anthony: Where the 2013 season ranks among ‘Melo’s best

New York Knicks’ superstar Carmelo Anthony is in the middle of one of his best seasons of his 10-year NBA career, leading the Knicks to a 28-15 start to the regular season.

But looking back at Anthony’s stellar career, where does the 2012-13 campaign rank among ‘Melo’s best years of his career?

Here’s a look, ranking Anthony’s career seasons from his worst to his best.

January 30, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

10. 2011-12, Knicks: Last year’s shortened season was a train wreck for Anthony, who played a role in the fact that head coach Mike D’Antoni is no longer with the organization. Even though that worked out good for the Knicks, ‘Melo showed plenty of signs of immaturity during the season. His 22.6 per game scoring average was his lowest since his second year in the league and the 43 percent he shot from the floor was his lowest mark since his rookie campaign. He did lead the Knicks to their first playoff victory since 2001, but it was not a very good year overall.

9. 2010-11, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks:  Anthony had a great year statistically, averaging 25.8 points per game between the Nuggets and Knicks. But he developed the reputation as a selfish superstar by forcing a trade to New York. ‘Melo created a season of drama surrounding his situation that if given a second chance he likely would have handled differently. He was great for the Knicks, but despite his heroics in the postseason the Knicks were swept by the Boston Celtics.

8. 2009-10, Nuggets: It took Anthony six years to win his first playoff series and even though the Nuggets won 55 games and the Northwest Division title, Denver was ousted in the first round once again by the Utah Jazz. Again, the numbers were there, averaging the second highest point total in his career (28.2) and shot 45.8 percent from the floor, but he played in only 69 games due to a wrist injury and the playoff failures began to signal the end of the road in Denver.

7. 2004-05, Nuggets: ‘Melo’s second year in the NBA wasn’t a very good statistical one as he averaged only 20.8 points per game while shooting only 43.1 percent from the floor and 26.6 percent from behind the arc, but he started to emerge as a leader as the Nuggets won six more games in the regular season than his rookie year.

6. 2003-04, Nuggets: Speaking of his rookie year, Anthony averaged 21.0 points per game and played in every game, which would be the only time that has happened in his career. But more importantly, he turned the Nuggets from laughing stocks into a playoff team instantly, showing what type of superstar he would eventually become.

5. 2007-08, Nuggets: Anthony finished fourth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 25.7 points per game. He led the Nuggets to a 50 win season and made his first career All-Star start, leading all Western Conference forwards in votes. He also shot a career best 49.2 percent from the floor.

4. 2006-07, Nuggets: Anthony made his first All-Star team and finished second in the NBA in scoring, averaging a career-high 28.9 points per game. He was also selected to the All-NBA third team, the first time Anthony received such an honor.

3. 2005-06, Nuggets: ‘Melo’s third year in the NBA was a special one as Anthony led the Nuggets to the Northwest Division title. He knocked down five game-winning shots and finished eighth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 26.5 points while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor.

2. 2012-13, Knicks: It took him 10 years, but Anthony has finally figured out what it takes to be a leader. For the most part he has played team basketball at both ends of the floor, which has never happened before in his career. He is in the process of setting a career-high in scoring at 29.1 points per game and is shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 41.6 percent from behind the arc, only the second time that ‘Melo has eclipsed 40 percent from long-range. The important thing is that the Knicks are winning and Anthony has been a big part of that. While he is an MVP-candidate, this season doesn’t get the top spot because it is not yet finished and Anthony has a lot left to accomplish.

1. 2008-09, Nuggets: This was the only time that Anthony did what leaders do- win in the playoffs. He only averaged 22.8 points per game, but it isn’t all about scoring, it is about winning and this was the only season in his 10-year career that Anthony accomplished that feat. The Nuggets tied a franchise-record with 54 wins, won the Northwest Division and advanced to the Western Conference Finals; the only time in his career he has won a playoff series.

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