Carmelo Anthony has named his all-time NBA starting five and it’s unorthodox to say the least, with no Michael Jordan, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant included. The former small forward is one of the greatest pure scorers in NBA history and was a star for the likes of the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks throughout his 19 years in the association.
Anthony never averaged less than double figures in terms of points-per-game during his career and while he never managed to get his hands on an NBA championship, he’s still held in very high regard by fans and players alike. Anthony played with and against some all-time greats and knows a thing or two about quality basketball players.
During a recent event where he was signing basketball jerseys for fans, Anthony was asked to name his all-time starting five in NBA history by Fanatics and it’s a selection that will almost certainly raise eyebrows.
Derrick Rose – Point Guard
Right off the bat with Anthony’s choice for point guard, there’s already a surprise as he picked Derrick Rose to slot into the position. If it hadn’t been for injuries, there’s every possibility that the former Chicago Bulls man would have gone on to become one of the greatest guards in the history of basketball.
He burst onto the scene immediately and his blistering pace made him a serious problem for opponents. He’s the youngest MVP in NBA history, winning the award at just 21 years of age, but after injuries ravaged his career, he never came close to reaching those heights a second time. A healthy Rose was special, but considering the likes of Magic Johnson and Steph Curry also played point guard, Anthony’s choice is an unexpected one. Speaking about Rose when making his pick, he said: