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Carmelo Anthony: Five Legends Who Won First Title After 30

By Maxwell Ogden

Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) looks on during the game Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) looks on during the game Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Pierce

Perhaps the most appropriate comparison for Carmelo Anthony is Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce. Both began their careers as dominant scorers, with Pierce eventually sacrificing his scoring for the betterment of the team.

It was in 2008, when Pierce was 31 years of age, that he won his first NBA championship as a member of the Big Three Celtics.

Pierce’s production declined in 2007-08, much as Anthony’s did in 2015-16. One year after averaging 25.0 points per game, Pierce averaged 19.6 points as he shared the spotlight with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Pierce proceeded to show the world what he was waiting for with averages of 21.8 points and 6.3 assists in the NBA Finals.

Pierce won Finals MVP and a championship as the go-to clutch scorer for the Celtics. Anthony has a chance to play the same role for the New York Knicks if 13-time NBA champion Phil Jackson continues to build with him.

Anthony’s numbers may not be as gaudy as they used to be, but he has the perfect style of play to mirror Pierce’s 2007-08 success with the Celtics.

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