Top 50: Carmelo Anthony, no. 6

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Myles Brown / @mdotbrown

Let me ask you something. Had Carmelo Anthony decided to take his talents to South Beach this summer rather than LeBron James, would there have been a similar outcry?

Probably not. Right?

Granted, the circumstances are different, Melo wasn’t playing for his hometown and certainly doesn’t have the cache to commandeer an entire network, but both of those are reflections of a larger issue.

Expectations. Carmelo Anthony

Plainly put, most folks don’t believe Melo is capable of the same things as LeBron or Dwyane Wade. ‘Capable of what?’ you might ask. ‘He’s arguably the most complete scorer in the league, one of its most clutch players and as recently as two years ago was two games away from a Finals appearance.’ All of which is true, but considering their athleticism, playmaking abilities, productivity and overall success, ultimately you’d concede that James and Wade are the better players.

Melo would probably be fine with that. As he should be. There’s 300+ other guys keeping him company in that category. What he does take issue with, however, is the increasing volume and frequency of folks questioning whether he’s even a franchise player.

By definition every team in the NBA has a ‘best’ player, a talent that distinguishes himself from his peers and whether by merit or sheer necessity becomes the units focal point and de facto leader. But a franchise player is one who not only distinguishes himself from his peers, he separates himself from practically every other teams best player by exhibiting the talent, aptitude and character needed to lead his mates on a championship run. Not every team has a franchise player.

Has Carmelo Anthony displayed the skill and will to be held in such regard? The Denver Nuggets think so. Problem is, Carmelo Anthony doesn’t want to be a Denver Nugget, presumably because he doesn’t like their chances of winning.

Now this could be attributed to instability in the Rocky Mountain state and the recent happenings in South Beach, but at what point does Melo have to assume responsibility? Sure, he can put the ball in the basket, but can he do so more efficiently? Furthermore, what about the opposite end of the court, you know where the other guy gets to shoot? Does he take defense as seriously as scoring? Yeah, his rebounding has improved, but couldn’t it be better? And yes, it’s questionable if the characters currently under contract in Denver can even be led, but ask yourself this too: Has Melo done enough to lead them?

Regardless, Melo doesn’t necessarily owe Denver any more than what he’s already given and this final year of his contract. However, the more important question is whether this newfound desire to ply his trade elsewhere is a matter of competitive spirit or mere convenience. In other words, does he want a team where he can improve or one that will mask his deficiencies? If not Denver, where can a volume scorer, poor defender, underwhelming boardsman and passive leader succeed?

I honestly don’t mean to harp on the mans shortcomings, but when discussing the leagues top ten players it’s no longer a matter of what one can do as much as what one can’t.

In this profession greatness is solely defined through continually meeting and raising expectations. Another trip to the Conference Finals isn’t guaranteed and Syracuse seems like decades ago. We’ve begun to lower our expectations of Carmelo Anthony. Of course this doesn’t matter nearly as much as what he expects of himself, which we’ll find out soon enough. Only then will any other answers become clear.

Now if you’re asking me anyway, I’d have to say no. Melo isn’t a franchise player. Then again, only five guys are. What he is, however, is the sixth best player in the NBA.

That’s still pretty great.

SLAMonline TOP 50 PLAYERS			OVERALL RANK		POSITION RANK
Player	Team	Position	2010	2009	2010	2009
Ray Allen	Celtics	SG	50	36	10	9
Gilbert Arenas	Wizards	SG	49	34	9	8
Lamar Odom	Lakers	PF	48	33	14	10
John Wall	Wizards	PG	47	NR	13	NR
OJ Mayo	Grizzlies	SG	46	46	8	12
Al Horford	Hawks	C	45	NR	6	NR
Jason Kidd	Mavs	PG	44	45	12	10
Joakim Noah	Bulls	C	43	NR	5	NR
LaMarcus Aldridge	Blazers	PF	42	39	13	12
David West	Hornets	PF	41	31	12	8
Monta Ellis	Warriors	SG	40	NR	7	NR
Andrew Bogut	Bucks	C	39	NR	4	NR
Yao Ming	Rockets	C	38	NR	3	NR
Brandon Jennings	Bucks	PG	37	NR	11	NR
Zach Randolph	Grizzlies	PF	36	NR	11	NR
Stephen Curry	Warriors	PG	35	NR	10	NR
David Lee	Warriors	PF	34	NR	10	NR
Brook Lopez	Nets	C	33	NR	2	NR
Gerald Wallace	Bobcats	SF	32	NR	7	NR
Manu Ginobili	Spurs	SG	31	29	6	7
Tony Parker	Spurs	PG	30	15	9	3
Kevin Garnett	Celtics	PF	29	13	9	3
Rudy Gay	Grizzlies	SF	28	44	6	9
Josh Smith	Hawks	PF	27	40	8	13
Andre Iguodala	76ers	SG	26	26	5	6
Al Jefferson	Jazz	PF	25	23	7	7
Russell Westbrook	Thunder	PG	24	NR	8	NR
Chauncey Billups	Nuggets	PG	23	19	7	5
Tyreke Evans	Kings	PG	22	NR	6	NR
Danny Granger	Pacers	SF	21	21	5	5
Carlos Boozer	Bulls	PF	20	32	6	9
Paul Pierce	Celtics	SF	19	17	4	4
Joe Johnson	Hawks	SG	18	20	4	4
Rajon Rondo	Celtics	PG	17	27	5	8
Amar’e Stoudemire	Knicks	PF	16	16	5	6
Steve Nash	Suns	PG	15	22	4	6
Tim Duncan	Spurs	PF	14	6	4	1
Chris Bosh	Heat	PF	13	13	3	4
Derrick Rose	Bulls	PG	12	18	3	4
Brandon Roy	Blazers	SG	11	10	3	3
Pau Gasol	Lakers	PF	10	14	2	5
Dirk Nowiztki	Mavs	PF	9	9	1	2
Deron Williams	Jazz	PG	8	11	2	2
Chris Paul	Hornets	PG	7	4	1	1
Carmelo Anthony	Nuggets	SF	6	7	3	2

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’10-11 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jeremy Bauman, Maurice Bobb, Erildas Budraitis, Sean Ceglinsky, Ben Collins, Bryan Crawford, Sandy Dover, Adam Figman, Manny Maduakolam, Eddie Maisonet, Ryne Nelson, Doobie Okon, Ben Osborne, Charles Peach, Branden Peters, Quinn Peterson, David Schnur, Todd Spehr, Kyle Stack, Adam Sweeney, Dennis Tarwood, Tracy Weissenberg, Lang Whitaker, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets, Features, SLAMonline Top 50

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T-Money

I actually have no issue with Melo’s game: he’s a stone cold scorer with ice in his veins during crunchtime and a very good rebounder at the 3 (I don’t know what you’re talking about Myles). His shortcomings on defense are exagerated, he’s no worse than a lot of superstars in this league just not on that Bron/Wade/Kob level of commitment to defense. However, the guy is just too immature to lead. You can pretty much guarantee one incident a year with Melo. And he pouts from time to time. Guys in the huddle look at Billups for direction and, for that reason, I have to agree that he’s not a franchise player.
The Philosopher

I called him Robinson and Glen Rice when he was coming up.
http://www.slamonline.com Eboy

If you were having a hypothetical draft of today’s NBA players, where would Melo finish? Out of the top 10? I bet you he would on a lot of people’s imaginary draft boards.
AdrianC513

So Ron Artest Didnt Crack the Top 50?
http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

6.5 boards a game is great for a three? Maybe. But for a three of Melo’s considerable gifts? I don’t think 8 should be out of the question.
rikson

I agree Durant is not better than Melo… Same vice-versa though!
Ben Flook

I’m wondering when exactly did Durant leapfrog Melo? Melo can score ridiculous numbers in FIBA play too, and he usually does it with Kobe/LeBron/Wade on the wings with him.
Lz – Cphfinest3

Melo is a heck of a scorer and is almost as clutch as they come, however he is average or below average in every other department – not even close to being a complete player. In my opinion he is way overrated because of the fans/pundits strong emphasis on scoring points. However if I was a coach and my job was to win a game and or championship, I would much rather have anyone out of Gasol, Dirk, Deron, CP3 and Duncan (even at this stage of his career) on my team. Melo can fill it up with the best of them, but a lot of NBA players have that ability to a lesser extent. It is much harder to find the intangibles that the aforementioned players all bring to the plate. Great player just not great enough to be above around 4-5 players on this list. Even if the criteria is mostly production/stats based.
Michael Whyte

COSIGN@ jahmai.
Kevin Durant is not the number 1 ranked NBA player. That is ridiculous. It’s a two horse race. LBJ or the Mamba. Kobe probably gets it for the rings. Lebron is better now IMO. But who am i.
http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

Durant > Melo. How is that even a question? He’s a better rebounder and has a three point shot that Melo doesn’t. If we call everything else equal that alone makes him better, no?
Mo

Yeah see. This is that bullsh*t. Anthony ain’t better than Paul.
Mo

Neither is Dwight Howard.
http://vandelay-industries.org Art Vandelay

So Dwight is Top 5… GOD, it’s great what a Superman-Cape can do…
Mo

Neither Howard nor Anthony has gotten to the 30 PER mark. And Anthony is still putting up Chris Paul’s rookie PER numbers. GTFO. LMAO.
mubwar

after reading most of this comments….we make more sense then the writer…dhoward cannot be in the top 5…no lie but i prefer Brook Lopez, he just doesn’t get any respect because he played a few years for the Nets…As long as the KING is number one and not that whiny number 24 its all good to me…
http://Slamonline.com Mvp23100

@Melvin Ely
Mj was 28 when he got that first ring I do question his mental toughness but his flaws are exaggerated 28-6 is better then decent ok he may not rebound like we want him to on the other end he’s efficient in the clutch and you can find more flaws in the next 2 players on the list
JTaylor21

KD is overrated and Melo is better than him.
T-Money

The only edge I give to Melo over KD is that Melo can’t be thrown off his game. We’ve seen KD bothered by tight, physical defense on multiple occasiosn last year and Artest absolutely handed it to him in the 1st round (35% fg, 5 ppg LESS than his regular season average). That ish don’t work with Melo, he’s a bear. KD does have him on range. The difference in rebounding is somewhat trivial. I’d choose KD over Melo too but it would have more to do with off-court stuff, I just don’t know how bad he wants it. I remember him saying ish like Kobe is his mentor DURING a series vs Lakers. Cmon son…
http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

I’m glad Jtaylor21 said that because now I KNOW I’m right.
http://Slamonline.com Mvp23100

@Bryan
Durant is better than Melo if were talking potential but his main flaw was shown in the playoffs he’s lanky he needs to eat a steak or he’ll struggle against physical defenders there’s NOTHING you can do against Melo and let him get out the first round before we give him all this praise
T-Money

It would be nice if the writers handling the top 5 could be actual fans of the players. I really don’t feel like going though another round of half-a–ed articles with thinly veiled shots at Kobe, Bron, Dwight (Wade and KD don’t really have haters it seems). Why not just highlight how amazing they are for once?
http://Www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

Because then someone else will call the writer a biased, nut hugging, d*ckrider. No matter what, there will always be complaints.
http://twitter.com/smileyoufckers Bryan

If Melo isn’t scoring what is he doing? Durant had a 19 rebound game in the playoffs. Also a 4 block game. If I remember right anyway. He still got to the line. The point is , he can contribute even when he isn’t scoring, if Melo isn’t dropping buckets he ain’t doing sh*t.
JD

This list is for next season right?
5 Howard
4 Wade
3 Bryant
2 Durant
1 LeBron
http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Moose

I’d take at least CP3 over Melo, maybe even Deron.
http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

Co-sign Myles’ 12:12 comment. Trust me, I know…
http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

As for Melo being not being a franchise guy — meaning a player you can build around that will eventually lead a team to a championship — I’ll have to agree with Myles on that one. Yes, he’s a great scorer in the NBA, but so is Monta Ellis. What else does Melo do that justifies the “franchise” tag outside of putting him on your roster and making him the face of your team to boost ticket sales?
michael

5 franchise players….what a load of sh1t. cp3, deron, dirk, td at least qualify as franchise players. Hell, Nash is pretty much the definition of franchise player. It isnt always just the numbers. Melo a great scorer, but yes overrated here, i would choose deron, cp, dirk, pau over him. weird write up…
http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

Melo boards very well for his position, remember, he has kmart and nene closer to the rim gettn boards too. Durant plays a good amount of four and is closer for rebounds. Melo is fukkn unstoppable, ask bron, ask kobe. Durant has been stopped, and will until he gets stronger. Melo is a good passer, but thats not his role, hes not asked or supposed to be like bron and handle thee ball all game and get 8assists. His defense has improved. Funny how myles can read melos mind and knows hes not taking it seriously, thats talent miss cleo, I mean miss myles. Melo is a franchise player, no question.
mubwar

i dislike idiotic comments…if Melo goes to Nets today with the same roster as last year, they’ll win about 50 games, not last year’s horrific 12…Ellis can never do that…Melo is a nightly 40 point outburst…
http://slamonline.com tealish

I had Deron and Paul over him. Both of those guys, I’ll take in a playoff series over Carmelo. But yes, he’s talented.
Then again, I also have Dwight at #10. Which is probably a tad low, but I just can’t respect his game. At all.
My guess at SLAM’s top 5 remains alive though. Sure hope we see Howard tomorrow!
http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

@Mubwar: You don’t watch Monta Ellis ( or basketball) very much, do you? And the Nets winning 50 games last year with Melo — considering their roster, lack of defense, and coaching turmoil — is about as idiotic of a comment as it gets. Pot, meet kettle…
http://5vemics.com eli porter

5.lebron
4.wade
3.howard
2.kobe
1.durant

real talk
Sanger

1 lebron
2 kobe
3 durant
4 wade
5 paul
6 deron
7 howard
Sanger

And THAT is the truth^^
Exile

Surprised E-Boy stepped out with Durant as a potential number one. Then again, I doubt he would care where Bosh, DWade and LBJ fell on this list as their combined effect will eclipse most teams this coming year.
SWIFTboy

5. Howard
4. Wade
3. Kobe
2. LeBron
1. Durant
onlyclipsfanonslam

After all the Kobe stuff SLAM has been pimpin this summer, how can any of you guys really expect anyone else to be no1?
whitey131

5.wade
4.Howard
3.LeBron
2.Kobe
1.Durant
whitey131

Rose should be above roy, paul, and gasol and dirk
meloman2.0

their ability to score is pretty much equal, but the only reason Durant gets more rebounds is because OKC has no true centre and Melo has to compete with K-mart and Nene. Melo is a much better play maker (for those who actually watch him play atleast) and is more clutch in 4th quarter situations. i again repeat, DURANT HAS DONE NOTHING INCREDIBLE TO DESERVE A SPOT OVER MELO
http://slamonline.com tealish

@Meloman – Perhaps you are more biased than most regarding Carmelo?
Consider this: the rankings are based on projected production. Carmelo, by most people’s accounts, has reached his ceiling. This is it for him. A scorer, not a killer. Talented, but not top tier.
People expect more out of Durant. He’s ALREADY shown he can do everything that Carmelo can. Next year, we’re expecting him to do more. That’s why he’s ahead of Anthony.
doyouwantmore

Kobe
Wade
Dwight
Lebron
KD
PapaBearATL

This is a projected, 10-11 list right? Statistically, LBJ and DWades numbers are gonna drop drastically, right? Kobe is gonna be playing less minutes to preserve his body for the playoffs, Howard’s defense is amazing, if he picked up a post move or 2 this offseason, I see a 20-10 avg. Durant seems like he is in a position to have better stats, might not translate into a Chip, though.
5. Howard
4. Wade
3. James
2. Bryant
1. Durant
flipnoyce

If Melo is not a franchise player then something is wrong with Denver trying to extend his contract or even try to get something in return for his departure. Any below 500 team would love to have a Guy like him, because that means an instant playoff. Although thats not enough to most fan of a team. Melo just needs to man up and be an outspoken leader. A little bit of D won’t hurt either. I understand he needs to be more mature and take the game seriously, but hey I’m only a fan who am I to burst his bubbles, thats LALA’s job- thats why he wants to be in NY.
Pugz

@AT33 When did your short bus drop you off, and who gave you a computer? maybe you should have watched the playoff run of a guy with 9 fingers, half a knee, and a recovering ankle. Maybe you should’ve watched how he closed out the suns, i don’t think you’d be talking ANYTHING if you had any sense to you haha.

the REAL list
5. Howard
4. Wade
3. LeBron
2. Durant
1. Kobe
unrel

this is a list or proposed production, right?.. if that’s true.. then howard and durrant will be 2 and 1.. kobe and bron should fight for 4 and 5.. and wade will be 3 (assuming it’s still his team).. it’s not a ranking of best player in the league.. because of that’s the case.. we should have more lakers and celtics in the top 10.. being the last two teams standing..
http://Egotastic.com Michael

1.Kobe
2.Durant
3.James
4.Wade
5.Howard
unrel

but a solid spot for melo.. but i think i’d rank him behind dwill and cp3..
http://www.michaelcho.com M Cho

Great writeup, Myles. When I saw Carmelo ranked #6, I was shaking my head thinking it was too high for him, but your analysis of his game is completely on point. For all his scoring prowess, I always thought this guy was overrated. He shoots a low percentage, and definitely isn’t mature enough yet to be a leader. His attitude and body language absolutely sucks when his team is struggling.

Top 50: Carmelo Anthony, no. 6

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

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