Carmelo Anthony's Top 10 Fly Through Finishes

Don't be fooled by Carmelo Anthony's funky fresh name or silky smooth game—the dude can get up and to the rim with the best of them.

But you need not simply take my word for it. Just have a look through some of the jaw-dropping jams and high-flying finishes the five-time All-Star's put together through his eight-and-a-half-year career with the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.

Better yet, check out these 10 plays, the best that 'Melo's yet put together...and had posted to YouTube.

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10. Anthony Leaps over LeBron James

Once upon a time, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James played on small-market teams, fueling a friendly one-on-one rivalry that was at times hyped as the next Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird feud.

Back in those days, 'Melo used to throw down on his buddy Bron-Bron from time to time, as in this lovely jam from 2007.

9. Anthony Blasts Andrew Bogut After Brilliant Blow-by

Poor Andrew Bogut. He didn't totally deserve this particular posterization by Carmelo. If he wanted to point fingers anywhere, he'd be wise to do it in Carlos Delfino's direction.

Granted, if Bogut were smart, he would've either stepped in sooner or stepped aside entirely.

The Nuggets will certainly remember this slam with mixed emotions, as it came just weeks before 'Melo was shipped to New York in exchange for Danilo Gallinari, et al.

8. 'Melo Punks Paul Millsap

What could be better than embarrassing an opposing player once in a given sequence? How about doing it twice?

As in the clip above, wherein Carmelo steals the ball off a lazy lob pass by Paul Millsap and then promptly stuffs the ball right in Millsap's face on the way in to the hoop.

Oh yeah, and then there's the foul, but really, were the refs paying attention to that? 

7. 'Melo Manhandles Greg Monroe with Flying Facial

Finally, we've arrived at the first (and only) play on the list that 'Melo has yet logged in a Knicks uniform.

Anthony pulled off this particular feat earlier this season against the poor Detroit Pistons, whose young star, Greg Monroe, got a face full of orange courtesy of Carmelo on the give-and-go.

Perhaps he'll have a few more of these spectacular finishes under his belt once he returns to the floor and develops a basketball rapport with Jeremy Lin.

6. Carmelo Switches Hands and Slams on Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs were practically asking for Carmelo Anthony to put them to shame on this particular play. Notice how the defender (Michael Finley?) readily gives 'Melo a clear lane to the basket, likely assuming that he'll be funneling him into a help defender.

Of course, the help comes way too late and ends up with Anthony firmly in his grill.

Luckily for the Spurs, that play didn't exactly deter them from winning the title that year.

5. Anthony Attacks Andres Nocioni

Amidst all the attention that Carmelo gets for being a ball hog or a lazy jump shooter, it's easy to forget that he's also a darn good post player.

Heck, that might even be the best part of 'Melo's game! 

After watching Anthony's spin and slam against Andres Nocioni, perhaps Mike D'Antoni will do the right thing and encourage 'Melo to go down low more often, if for no other reason than to excite the crowd at Madison Square Garden with plays like these.

4. 'Melo Embarrasses Bulls...Again

But lo, lest ye think Carmelo tormented the Bulls only once, look upon this clip and know that 'Melo not only can play off the ball but does so with devastating force.

Ask Tyrus Thomas, who got dunked on by Anthony back in 2008 and now finds himself languishing with the Charlotte Bobcats?

Coincidence? Mayyyybe...

3. Carmelo Slams on Three Celtics

Again, let's have a glimpse back at the "old" Carmelo, who backs down Paul Pierce, chases after his own miss, dribbles around one Boston Celtics player and finishes it off with a dunk over three others.

See, Knicks fans? All you have to do is get 'Melo to bring back the cornrows and you'll have that old, tenacious ballplayer from New York who hustles and flows with the best of 'em on the basketball court.

2. 'Melo Oops the Alley over Yao Ming

I have a confession to make: I, like many people who enjoy watching basketball, am particularly impressed when one player dunks on/over another player who's significantly taller than he is. The best such plays, of course, involve short guards posterizing seven-footers.

But, when you're Carmelo Anthony and you're already 6'8, all you can ever hope to do is find, say, a 7'5 giant to rock the rim over.

That's how tall Yao Ming is, you say? And 'Melo once ooped an alley over him? Perrrrfect.

1. Anthony Annihilates Argentina with Aerial Assault

Aah yes, the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, one of the seminal moments of Team USA's re-emergence as a power to be feared on the international basketball stage.

And the time when the Red, White and Blue annihilated Argentina not once, but twice, including a 118-81 drubbing in the tournament final.

What better way for America to celebrate its return to the top than with this thunderous facial so indelicately applied by Carmelo Anthony to current Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola? 

Makes me want to run around the neighborhood, wrapped in the finest Stars and Stripes I can find.