NBA Trade Rumors: Does Carmelo Anthony Play Well at Madison Square Garden?
After Tuesday night's social media explosion that convinced many across the country that Carmelo Anthony would be traded to the New Jersey Nets was said to be false, the New York Knicks took back over as the leaders in the Melo sweepstakes.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was said that Anthony would only sign an extension with the New York Knicks, a report which Anthony himself denied.
But whether it's true or not, the Knicks should still be considered the favorites to end up with Anthony. If they don't get him this year, they probably will in free agency.
So how has he played throughout his career at Madison Square Garden?
Read on to find out.
December 13, 2003
1 of 9
Denver Nuggets 88, New York Knicks 95
The Knicks were trailing after the third quarter but outscored the Nuggets 31-19 in the final period to seal the victory.
Carmelo Anthony, in the midst of his rookie season, scored 25 points. He shot 9-for-24 from the field, 6-for-8 from the free throw line, and 1-for-4 from behind the three-point line.
Anthony also added seven rebounds, four of which were on the offensive glass, two assists, three steals, a block and only one turnover.
In his first game in Madison Square Garden, Melo didn't disappoint. Although he shot for a low percentage, he still managed to lead his team in scoring.
December 12, 2004
2 of 9
Denver Nuggets 96, New York Knicks 107
This game had the same outcome as the previous one thanks to New York's outscoring the Nuggets in each of the final three quarters.
In his second season, Carmelo Anthony shot for a low percentage but still led his team in scoring for the second-straight year.
Anthony was 7-for-23 from the field, failing to make a three-pointer on either of his attempts while knocking down 12 of his 16 free throw attempts. In addition to those 26 points, Melo pulled down eight rebounds, dished out three assists and gave the ball away seven times.
All in all, it wasn't a very good game for Melo. He turned the ball over too often and wasn't very efficient with his shooting at all.
March 13, 2006
3 of 9
Denver Nuggets 108, New York Knicks 96
It seems as though the third time was the charm for Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets in his history against the New York Knicks.
The Nuggets led for most of the game, thanks to very good play from Melo.
Anthony led his team in scoring for the third time in three tries, putting up 35 points on 13-for-21 shooting from the field. He also made nine of his 12 free throw attempts.
In addition, Anthony had five rebounds, an assist and only one turnover.
His 12 points in the third quarter were the difference makers as the Nuggets turned the game into a blowout.
He said after the game, "I want to win the game. I don't worry about taking over the game unless I have to." George Karl had nothing but good things to say about Melo's play after the game.
December 16, 2006
4 of 9
Denver Nuggets 123, New York Knicks 100
This game was never even close as the Denver Nuggets, paced by Carmelo Anthony's team-high 34 points, blew out the New York Knicks.
Anthony shot 15-for-29 from the field and converted four of his five free throw attempts to put up those points in his second win in Madison Square Garden.
The small forward also had seven rebounds, four assists and a perfect doughnut in the turnover column of the stat sheet.
Anthony had 23 points in the first 23 minutes of the second half, but his performance was significantly marred by the fight that occured.
For some reason, the starters were still on the court for the Nuggets with 1:15 left and a 19-point lead. When Mardy Collins committed a flagrant foul on a J.R. Smith layup, Anthony among others jumped in and a brawl ensued.
Anthony threw a punch at Collins and was ejected along with nine other players.
November 6, 2007
5 of 9
Denver Nuggets 112, New York Knicks 119
The Knicks outscored their opponents by 17 points in the fourth quarter to win by seven points.
Carmelo Anthony, for the first time in his career at Madison Square Garden, was outscored by a teammate. Allen Iverson scored 32 points while Melo only put up 24.
Anthony shot 7-for-20 from the field, 0-for-1 from the three-point line and 10-for-13 from the charity stripe. He also had two boards, nine assists, one block, one assist and three turnovers.
Is it possible that the hostile crowd, still angry about last year's brawl, got to him?
December 28, 2008
6 of 9
Denver Nuggets 117, New York Knicks 110
In this close, hard-fought game, Carmelo Anthony's 32 points led the Nuggets in scoring and helped them get a big win.
Anthony made 13 of his 19 shots from the field, sunk his only three-point attempt of the game and made five of his seven free throw attempts. He also had nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and just one turnover.
What made this game even more impressive was that it was Anthony's return from a right elbow injury and he still broke the 30-point barrier for the third time in the 2008-2009 season.
Anthony also made all five of his shots in the decisive final quarter.
March 23, 2010
7 of 9
Denver Nuggets 104, New York Knicks 109
Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points in this contest, but it wasn't enough to get the victory in Madison Square Garden.
Melo led his team in scoring by making 14 of his 26 field goal attempts, missing all three of his three-point tries and making all eight free throws.
He also grabbed five rebounds, two assists, a block and just one turnover.
Danilo Gallinari, though, was the true star of this game, leading Anthony to say afterwards, "Actually it was kind of fun for me to see him hold his ground and not back down. He was kind of talking back to me out there, too, which I was kind of surprised."
December 12, 2010
8 of 9
Denver Nuggets 125, New York Knicks 129
Playing the surging New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony had yet another good game, scoring 31 points, but failed to get the win.
Anthony was 11-for-27 from the field, but he missed all six of his three-pointers. He did, however, make all nine free throw attempts.
The small forward also had 13 rebounds, three assists, a block and four turnovers. It was good enough for him to get his first double-double in Madison Square Garden.
In an interesting twist, the Knicks fans cheered loudly for Anthony at the beginning of the game in attempt to lure him to New York.
On an interesting side note, Mike D'Antoni, the New York Knicks head coach, said after the game, "Being able to throw punches and get it. Being able to go down after being up the whole game. Having Amare in foul trouble and finding a way. You have to be able to find a win to win until you get everything straight. That is what these guys have been doing for a while."
Sounds to me like someone said "throw punches" without studying the team history against the Nuggets.
Overall
9 of 9
Carmelo Anthony has now played eight games against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, winning only three of them.
His stats, though, have been quite impressive. Anthony is averaging 30.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in those eight games.
He's also led his team in virtually every appearance.
Anthony even managed to get in a brawl and still be cheered by Knicks fans just a few years later.
I'd say he likes playing in New York.
