Carmelo Anthony Named His All-Time New York Knicks Starting 5

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players of his generation and will soon become an official two-time inductee into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

After a notable high school basketball career, Melo had a legendary season with Syracuse University, leading the program to its first-ever national title.

Anthony went on to become the No. 3 pick by the Denver Nuggets in the decorated 2003 NBA Draft class. Carmelo could score anywhere on the court and was the centerpiece of several elite teams throughout his career.

After spending seven and a half years in Denver, the New York Knicks made the blockbuster move to trade for the star small forward.

That deal, along with the free agency signing of Amar’e Stoudemire, kick-started a memorable period for the franchise, which had been lackluster for so long.

Carmelo spent more than six years in “The Big Apple” and is considered among the greatest New York Knicks ever. Since his retirement, the ten-time All-Star has been a prominent fixture within the NBA media ecosphere, offering his unique perspective on the game.

Anthony recently might have just given one of his most stunning takes yet. In an interview with the online show “Rabid Fans”, Melo revealed his all-time New York Knicks starting 5. And there are some shocking exclusions from this unit.

Center: Patrick Ewing

Anthony started out with a safe and obvious pick. Patrick Ewing is one of the greatest centers of all time and was the catalyst behind the 1990s New York Knicks.

The Georgetown legend was the first pick in the 1985 NBA Draft in the controversial new lottery system. Ewing almost immediately became a dominant player, leading the Knicks to the playoffs 13 out of his 15 years with the franchise.

That includes two Eastern Conference titles in 1994 and 1999. Patrick is usually debated alongside Walt Frazier and Willis Reed for the mantle of Knicks’ GOAT, and would make an impact in any era he played in.

Power Forward: Charles Oakley

Charles Oakley is Carmelo’s first controversial selection for this starting 5. And it’s no disrespect to the ferocious enforcer who was one of the best defenders and rebounders of the ’90s.

Oakley played ten seasons for the Knicks and was a key contributor to several deep playoff runs. Along with his interior presence, the 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward had an underrated offensive game when called upon on that end.

Oakley is a New York legend, but of course, it’s fair to say that Melo’s power forward slot should have belonged to Willis Reed.

While the two-time NBA Finals MVP usually played center for those iconic Knicks teams of the late ’60s and ’70s, Reed played the four on numerous occasions throughout his Hall of Fame career.

Nevertheless, Oakley deserves a lot of credit for what he did for this city. He represented the grit and blue-collar nature of NYC that fans always held in high regard.

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony

During this interview, the “Rabid Fans” hosts told Anthony to automatically include himself in the small forward slot for this starting unit. But even without that requirement, Carmelo would fit in nicely here.

The few players who would generate a debate for this spot include the ultimate glue guy, Dave DeBusschere, who was the face of the Knicks’ championship teams on defense.

DeBusschere also could’ve been a candidate for the power forward position with his versatility, as Senator Bill Bradley usually filled in at small forward during this era.

In addition, Bernard King, one of the greatest scorers of the 1980s, would have an even stronger case if not for his injuries. Lastly, Latrell Spreewell, a terrific player from the late 1990s and early 2000s, who led the Knicks to the Finals in 1999, has a claim for this spot.

But Anthony is still a welcome addition to this starting 5.

Shooting Guard: Allan Houston

Allan Houston was an essential player to the Knicks throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s and will always be remembered fondly by fans for his playoff heroics.

The two-time All-Star was a sharpshooter who shot over 40% from three-point range throughout his twelve-year career. Houston spent nine seasons in New York, leading the franchise to the postseason five times.

In a hypothetical five-on-five game, Allan’s addition to this team makes all the sense in the world. However, Melo is picking him for this slot over Hall of Fame shooting guards Earl “the Pearl” Monroe and Dick Barnett, as well as Knicks legend John Starks.

Point Guard: Jalen Brunson

In just three years, Jalen Brunson has already put his name up with the greats of this proud franchise. The 28-year-old point guard is the ultimate technician on offense and has evolved into a first-option on a title contender.

During the 2022 offseason, Jalen signed with the Knicks on a four-year, over $100 million contract that many saw as a reach for a good role player with the Dallas Mavericks.

Those takes aged like milk, and Brunson immediately became the face of this franchise’s resurgence and its march back to Eastern Conference relevance.

The stout lefty has led the Knicks to three straight postseason appearances, including this organization’s first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000.

Brunson’s cement is still wet, and as he continues to shape his legacy, the reigning Clutch Player of the Year has nowhere to go but up.

With all that being said, looking at the shooting guard and point guard additions to Carmelo’s starting 5, there is another huge exclusion on this team. That is, of course, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, the iconic floor general of the Knicks’ two title runs in 1970 and 1973.

The Atlanta, Georgia native was a domineering presence on both ends, making seven All-Star appearances and earning six All-NBA selections. Frazier additionally had one of the most memorable Finals performances of all time in 1970.

In Game 7 of that series against the Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain-led L.A. Lakers, Frazier dropped 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds en route to New York’s first NBA Championship.

Frazier and Willis Reed are, therefore, the sizable snubs from this starting lineup. But it’s Carmelo’s list, and the players he did include are monumental figures in the storied history of the New York Knicks.