Carmelo Anthony wants to play 20 seasons in NBA
Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks looks on in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Credit: Jim McIsaac
MILWAUKEE — Carmelo Anthony has nothing but admiration for the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, who scored his 30,000th career point Tuesday night.
And, if things go the way Anthony has planned, he may be able to join Nowitzki one day in the 30,000-point club. Anthony, in his 14th season, said Wednesday morning that he’d like to play for 20 seasons in the NBA.
Heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Bucks, Anthony has a career total of 23,936 points. At his current clip, which he probably can’t sustain for six more seasons, Anthony would retire with around 35,000 points. It seems reasonable, however, that even in a reduced role he could break the 30,000 mark if he plays for six more seasons.
“I would love to get 20 in. I would love — six, seven — I could do 20,” Anthony said after the Knicks’ shootaround in Milwaukee. “I could do 20. I think I do a great job of taking care of my body. I’m going to continue doing that. Lord willing, no injuries, no severe injuries, I could see myself going for 20.”
Anthony, 32, should be available to pick up a few of those points Wednesday night. After sitting out Monday’s game in Orlando to rest a sore left knee, Anthony said he feels good and expects to play Wednesday night.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.