Dear Carmelo Anthony, thank-you

Dear Carmelo Anthony, thank-you.

When someone brings up Carmelo Anthony, I immediately think of the time when, in 2009, he intercepted an errant Paul Millsap pass and proceeded to throw down a thunderous dunk on Millsap as a packed Pepsi Center went absolutely bonkers.

Similarly, I remember when ‘Melo hit a jumper from the elbow whilst being guarded by LeBron James to give Denver a 118-116 victory at Cleveland on national television in 2010.

I still shake my head in disbelief when reminiscing about that time Carmelo dropped 33 points in a single quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008.

Oh, what about the time he became just the second person ever to score 40 points in the NBA as a teenager? Or when he, along with Chauncey Billups, led the Nuggets on that magical playoff run in 2010?

I could go on this Carmelo Anthony fueled nostalgia trip for a while.

Carmelo spent eight, enormously entertaining and successful seasons as the franchise player in Denver.

He was the runner-up to LeBron James for Rookie of the Year. He was named an All-Star four times, was a member to the All-NBA second team once, the All NBA-third team four times and held career averages of 24.8ppg on 45% shooting to go allow with 6.3rpg.

More importantly however, Carmelo helped the Nuggets franchise become one of the more consistent teams in all of basketball. Denver made the playoffs every season Melo was in the Mile High, a run which included four 50-win seasons and a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Carmelo made the Nuggets relevant. The team was a combined 165-377 over the previous seven seasons before Anthony’s arrival and had made the playoffs just three times since 1990.

The Nuggets were a complete afterthought.

Then Carmelo happened.

Of course, many fans felt betrayed when our superstar, whom the Nuggets developed into the player he became, left us for the bright lights of New York.

I felt the same. At the time, I was 15. I had three different Anthony jerseys. A home version, an away version and an alternative.

What became known as the Melodrama ovetook my life. Every day, before and after school I’d log onto the computer to check the latest trade rumors. I hoped that I’d log on one day and find Carmelo had retracted his trade request and signed a 100000 year deal with Denver.

That didn’t happen, obviously.

The blow felt by Carmelo being traded was softened thanks to then Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri being exceptionally good at his job.

The Nuggets got a haul and went on to win a franchise record 57 wins the next season.

In the handful of times Carmelo Anthony has vistited Denver as a member of the Knicks, he has been boo’d. It was understandable. Fans emotions were still high and the wounds still fresh.

However, five years after the trade, its time to move on and remember the good times.

Carmelo brought so much to the franchise. He truly gave it his all, even in the midst of the Melodrama. Heck, one of Carmelo’s last games for Denver was when he drained a buzzer beater over Derrick Rose to win the game.

Oh, another fond memory.

Carmelo Anthony should have his jersey retired by the Nuggets when it is all said and done. He brought this franchise back to relevence. He was the catalyst to an incredible run of success. He packed the Pepsi Center and provided the city of Denver with memories that will last a life time.

Must Read: Can Denver Stop Carmelo

That is why, when Melo visits the Pepsi Center tonight, I will be aplauding him.

Thank-you, Carmelo.