NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony retires, looking back on his one season with OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a wild offseason leading into the 2017-18 season. On the heels of losing Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors the offseason before, the OKC Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Indiana Pacers, getting Paul George in return with his Free Agency looming. However, this was not the only splash Sam Presti pulled off that Summer. After things went sideways in New York, Carmelo Anthony requested a trade while possessing a full no-trade clause.

The deal got done, and Carmelo Anthony agreed to come to Oklahoma City in what felt like a massive moment for the team, the city, and the state at large. A superstar, future Hall of Famer, and pop-culture icon elected to play in Oklahoma City. In our flyover state. Not by force, not by being drafted or traded here, under his own power of a full no-trade clause. That initial feeling can not be understated.

Carmelo Anthony retires from the NBA, looking back on his one season with the OKC Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder saw Carmelo Anthony play 78 games for the franchise averaging 16 points, five rebounds, an assist, and 1.2 STOCKS per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor, 35 percent from the three-point line, and 76 percent at the charity stripe.

Despite the devastating end of the season, there were some highlights during his time with the OKC Thunder. Starting on opening night, where he played his former team, the New York Knicks, draining three triples on his way to 22 points. Anthony was also part of one of the best regular season wins in franchise history against the Golden State Warriors just hours before Thanksgiving. The OK3 team beat the Warriors by 17 points, where Melo posted 22 points, five rebounds, and five for seven shooting from beyond the arc.

The most memorable moment was on media day when Carmelo Anthony was asked if he would come off the bench.

Ultimately, Anthony did not come off the bench. That was part of their downfall in the first-round series to the Utah Jazz, along with Andre Roberson going down with a career-altering injury as the team hit their stride. The situation devolved from there, leading to Sam Presti shipping Anthony to Atlanta in a salary dumping move that netted the OKC Thunder Dennis Schroder, who was stellar during his time in Bricktown.

While it may not have produced much winning, and the highlights are mainly the curse words that slipped through the cracks on the Fox Sports Oklahoma broadcasts, Carmelo Anthony playing those 73 games in Oklahoma City was massive for the state and the organization.

Thank you, Carmelo.