Carmelo Anthony Has No Regret About Retiring Without A Ring

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Miami Heat v New York Knicks - Game Two
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Former New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony attends game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Melo isn't worrying about going untitled.

Carmelo Anthony officially retired from the NBA on May 22, ending a 19-year career as one of the deadliest shooters to ever play in the league. There were many accolades that came alongside Anthony's career - 10 all-star appearances, and six All-NBA team nominations. However, the one thing that Anthony ends his career without is an NBA ring.

Despite Anthony's talent, the various teams in his career were never quite in title contention. The closest Melo came was in the 2008-09 season, when the Denver Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals. However, the Nuggets fell to the eventual champion Lakers in six games.

No Rings, No Regrets for Melo

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Carmelo Anthony speaks onstage at the 2023 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)

However, Melo has no regrets about retiring without a ring. "I’m at peace," Melo said to Sports Illustrated, "That doesn’t bother me no more; that idea that you’re a loser if you don’t win a championship. For me, I’ve won. I won back in 2003, the night I shook David Stern’s hand on that [draft] stage," Anthony said. "I made it out of Red Hook. I’ve won at life. The ring is the only thing I didn’t get. It would’ve been a great accomplishment, but I don’t regret it, because I feel like I did everything I could to get it."

Now, Anthony turns his attention to his son. Sixteen-year-old Kiyan Anthony currently has 11 collegiate offers, including from Melo's alma mater Syracuse as well as the likes of Tennessee, Memphis, UMass, and Illinois. However, Melo also revealed that his one season with the Lakers, his last season in the NBA, was because of Kiyan. Despite vowing to retire when Kiyan started high school, his son pushed him for one last season. "Then [as he started high school] the Lakers called, and he told me, ‘Dad, I’ll be O.K., you should go.’ Even with LeBron there, I wouldn’t have done it without Kiyan pushing me. So to be able to spend time with him in the gym, on his work ethic? With school? I can be a father to him every day. It’s perfect timing.”

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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