NBA coaches did not deem Carmelo Anthony good enough for this year’s All-Star Game. But the Nuggets small forward received a dose of redemption from the league’s writers and broadcasters, who named him to the all-league third team in voting revealed Wednesday.
“I was extremely excited to hear I was named to the all-NBA team, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and the coaching staff,” Anthony said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be recognized along with all these great players.”
If last year serves as a guide, Anthony could follow up his first all-NBA appearance with an all-star debut next season in Las Vegas. Except for Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire, who missed most of this season with a knee injury, every player who made last year’s all-NBA teams played in this season’s All-Star Game.
Anthony, the first Nugget to earn the honor since Antonio McDyess made the third team in 1998-99, beat out Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, Memphis’ Pau Gasol and Boston’s Paul Pierce.
Anthony, who received 97 points in the voting, averaged 26.5 points for the Nuggets this season, eighth in the NBA.
Denver center Marcus Camby received votes totaling nine points.
Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
