Long-Time NBA Forward Has Clear Stance on Carmelo Anthony’s Nuggets Tenure originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
From his peak from 2005 to 2017, during stints with both the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony was one of the best scorers in the NBA.
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One of the true three-level scorers in the league, he could get a bucket from anywhere. Nicolas Batum has long been one of the best defenders in the NBA, and has guarded players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and other elite scorers.
However, Anthony’s offensive versatility gave Batum more trouble than anyone else.
Mar 29, 2010; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (15) smiles after a foul during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena. The Mavs beat the Nuggets 109-93© Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
Between 2005 and 2010, in Denver, Anthony averaged 26.4 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the floor.
“Denver Melo was crazy, like at the beginning of my career,” detailed Nicolas Batum. “So I was young, I was skinny, and my job was starting, but I had to guard the best opponent and Denver Melo, I always said, he had everything. He was strong first but post up, drive, 3s, pull up, iso, jab, like turnaround, bully ball, like everything.”
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Out of everyone Batum had to guard, Melo was the biggest handful.
“I always say he’s the toughest guy I had to guard in my career.”
Batum, unlike Anthony, is still playing and expects to suit up for the Los Angeles Clippers this season. He and Anthony played against each other in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, although Anthony and Team USA got the best of France in both matchups.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.