The Portland Trail Blazers’ Carmelo Anthony took over 10th place on the NBA All-Time Scoring list, passing Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes Monday night.
Melo now has 27,318 points over his 17-year career.
Anthony grabbed Hayes’ spot with an and-one 3-pointer in the third quarter of the Trail Blazers 123-114 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
“Top 10 in anything of all time is a special thing,” said Anthony after the game. “I don’t want to take this moment for granted. I understand how big this moment is. It don’t seem real because I’m still in it. I’m still doing this.”
Melo finished the night with 14 points in 22 minutes.
“A couple years ago I ain’t think I was gonna be in this moment. I was out the league for whatever reason… I’m back. I persevered. I stayed strong I stayed true to myself & now I’m here in the Top 10.” pic.twitter.com/QkmI0FbF3S
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 4, 2021
Anthony said he wasn’t paying attention when he approached the 15th, 13th, or 11th spot, but he was very aware he was coming up on Elvin Hayes record.
“I’ve felt it. I felt it coming into the game. I didn’t want to rush it or force it or anything; I wanted to let the game coming to me and happen naturally. I felt good coming into today, and as you can see, the shot was falling early, and I got off to a great start. That made it easier. I could exhale and relax.”
Melo started his career with the Denver Nuggets as the third pick in the 2003 draft.
Though he’s never competed for the title, the 36-yer-old is a 10-time All-Star and won the scoring title in 2012-13 while playing for the New York Knicks.
“I told my teammates after the game that it was my perseverance, it was me staying true to myself, never wavering and staying solid,” Anthony said. “That’s why I’m able to be in this position today.”
Congrats came from teammates and players around the league, including Damian Lillard.
“I appreciate him more as a friend than I do as a teammate, and I really appreciate him as a teammate,” said Lillard. “I think that really speaks to the kind of person he is. I’m happy for him.”