Welcome to Top 10, Melo: Anthony joins elite scoring list

<p>ATLANTA &mdash; Carmelo Anthony looked like he was all done just a couple of seasons ago.</p>
<p>Now, he’s part of a truly exclusive club in the NBA.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Top 10, Melo.</p>
<p>Anthony scored 14 points Monday night in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/portland-trail-blazers-atlanta-hawks-nba-sports-0388c756a1103f04f7e73d340a373b57">Portland’s 123-114 loss</a> to the Atlanta Hawks, moving him past Elvin Hayes for 10th place on the career scoring list with 27,318.</p>
<p>“If you’re in the top 10 of anything of all time, it’s a special moment,” said Anthony, who’s in his 18th NBA season and turns 37 before the month is out. </p>
<p>Anthony cruised past Hayes early in the second quarter, <a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1389379373858426880https://twitter.com/i/status/1389379373858426880">hitting a 3-pointer while getting fouled</a> by Danilo Gallinari and knocking down the free throw to complete a four-point play.</p>
<p>Anthony was fully aware of how many points he needed to surpass Hayes.</p>
<p>“I knew this moment,” he said. “I didn’t know those other moments — 15, 13, 11. But 10 is something I knew."</p>
<p>It appeared Anthony was headed for a forced retirement after he played just 10 games during the 2018-19 season. </p>
<p>He parted ways with Houston, was waived by Chicago and didn’t hook up with Portland until the next season was several weeks old.</p>
<p>Even though he went more than a year without playing a game, Anthony found new life and a new role with the Trail Blazers.</p>
<p>A starter his entire career, he’s now coming off the bench, playing a supporting role to younger stars, players who still look up to him, such as Damian Lillard.</p>
<p>“Being in the top 10 in a really special accomplishment,” Lillard said. “For him, it’s probably a little more special. A lot of people counted him out and tried to finish him.”</p>
<p>During his time with the Trail Blazers, Anthony has passed nine players on the career scoring list. </p>
<p>He knocked off Alex English, Kevin Garnett, John Havlicek and Paul Pierce last season. He’s taken down Tim Duncan, Dominique Wilkins, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon and now Hayes this season. </p>
<p>Next up for Anthony: Moses Malone at 27,409 points. </p>
<p>Melo’s got a good chance at catching him, too, by the end of the regular season.</p>
<p>“For Melo to be out a year and come back makes it even more remarkable,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “I always appreciate greatness, whether it’s a player I’m coaching or coaching against. Melo is a great player. He’s a Hall of Fame player.”</p>
<p>Lillard went on and on about what a pleasure it’s been to have Anthony as a teammate, disputing those who have described him over the years as a selfish player who was never quite good enough to lead his teams — most notably, Denver and New York — to a championship.</p>
<p>“I appreciate him more as a friend than I do as a teammate, and I really appreciate him as a teammate," Lillard said. "I think that really speaks to the kind of person he is.”</p>
<p>Afterward, <a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1389407171595603969">Stotts presented Anthony with a game ball</a> in the locker room.</p>
<p>“We need to acknowledge milestones,” the coach said. “This is a big one. Top 10 of all time. That’s big time.”</p>
<p>After his teammates finished clapping, Anthony said, "A couple of years ago, I didn’t think I was gonna be in this moment right now. I was out the league for whatever reason. I’m back. I persevered. I stayed strong, I stayed true to myself and now I’m here in the top 10.”</p>
<p>He’s not done yet.</p>
<p>”I’m still enjoying the game," Anthony said. “I’m still loving the game. I’m still approaching the game the same way.”</p>
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