Carmelo Anthony (Part 3)

During the 2005–06 NBA season, Carmelo Anthony had a remarkable year, showcasing his scoring prowess and ability to deliver in clutch moments. Playing and starting in 80 games for the Denver Nuggets, Anthony averaged 26.5 points per game, ranking him eighth in the NBA in scoring. This marked the highest finish by a Denver player since the 1990–91 season when Michael Adams finished sixth in NBA scoring.
Throughout the season, Anthony demonstrated his versatility and impact on the court, contributing 2.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He achieved several significant milestones, including grabbing his 1,000th career rebound on November 23, 2005, during a game against the Detroit Pistons.


Anthony's scoring ability was on full display as he recorded a career-high 45 points in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier scorers. Additionally, on March 17, 2006, he surpassed the 5,000-point mark in his career, becoming the second-youngest player to achieve this feat, trailing only LeBron James.
His outstanding performances in March, where the Nuggets finished with an 11–5 record, earned him the prestigious NBA Player of the Month award for that month. Anthony also received Player of the Week honors for the week of March 13 to March 19, 2006.


Anthony's clutch gene was evident throughout the season, as he made several game-winning shots in the final seconds of games, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure. His contributions earned him a spot on the All-NBA Third Team, further highlighting his impact on the league.
Despite Anthony's stellar play, the Nuggets were eliminated in the First Round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Anthony's performance during the season solidified his status as a franchise cornerstone for the Nuggets, leading to his signing of a lucrative 5-year, $80 million contract extension with the team.


During the 2006–2007 NBA season, Carmelo Anthony continued to showcase his scoring prowess and impact on the court for the Denver Nuggets. Despite facing challenges such as a suspension and a car accident, Anthony delivered impressive performances and earned recognition for his contributions.
Anthony's remarkable streak of six consecutive 30-point games tied a club record previously held by Alex English, who coincidentally witnessed Anthony's achievement while serving as an Assistant Coach for the Toronto Raptors. Although Anthony fell short of breaking the record the second time around, his scoring prowess was undeniable.
However, Anthony's season took a turn during a game at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2006, when he was involved in the infamous Knicks-Nuggets brawl. Anthony was seen throwing a punch at New York's Mardy Collins, resulting in a 15-game suspension handed down by NBA commissioner David Stern.


Upon his return from suspension, Anthony teamed up with newly acquired Allen Iverson, making their on-court debut together on January 22, 2007. Despite the setback, Anthony quickly found his rhythm, recording his first career triple-double just three days later.
Despite initially being left off the Western Conference All-Star team roster, Anthony was selected as a replacement due to injuries to Yao Ming and Carlos Boozer. He made the most of his All-Star debut, contributing 20 points and nine rebounds.
Throughout the season, Anthony's stellar performances earned him multiple Player of the Week honors and recognition as the league's second-leading scorer behind Kobe Bryant, averaging 28.9 points per game. Additionally, he received his second consecutive selection to the All-NBA Third Team, solidifying his status as one of the league's top talents.


During the 2007–2008 NBA season, Carmelo Anthony continued to solidify his place among the league's elite players. Named as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game, Anthony received significant recognition from fans, finishing as the leading vote-getter among Western Conference forwards. His exceptional performance on February 8, 2008, further highlighted his scoring prowess, as he scored a career-high 49 points in a game against the Washington Wizards, showcasing remarkable shooting efficiency with a field goal percentage of .760.
Throughout the season, Anthony displayed versatility on both ends of the court, achieving career-highs in rebounds per game and steals per game. His consistent contributions helped the Denver Nuggets secure 50 wins for the season, marking a significant milestone for the franchise. Additionally, the Nuggets' eighth seed placement in the Western Conference playoffs, despite their impressive win total, set a new record for the highest win total for an eighth seed in NBA history.


However, the Nuggets faced a formidable challenge in the first round of the playoffs against the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Despite Anthony's stellar performances, averaging 22.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the series, the Nuggets were unable to overcome the Lakers, who swept them in four games. This marked a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season for Anthony and the Nuggets, illustrating the competitive nature of the NBA playoffs.

References

1.  Associated Press (April 20, 2004). "LeBron James Wins 2003–04 got milk? Rookie of the Year Award". NBA.com. Retrieved on May 1, 2010.
2. ^ Associated Press. (April 18, 2004). "Denver vs. Minnesota Recap". ESPN. Retrieved on July 8, 2008.
3. ^ "Nuggets vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - April 30, 2004". ESPN. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
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5. ^ Associated Press (February 19, 2005). "Anthony gains MVP honors". Retrieved on July 8, 2008.
6. ^ Associated Press (April 24, 2005).Denver vs. San Antonio Recap. Retrieved on July 8, 2008.
7. ^ Deseret News Publishing Co. (May 5, 2005).Spurs oust Denver in 5 games. Retrieved on July 8, 2008.
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