The NBA has long been a breeding ground for heated debates. From the timeless discussions over the best shooting guard—often boiling down to Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant—to the never-ending debates about the greatest center, the league’s rich history ensures that opinions remain divided. Recently, the focus shifted to small forwards and it sparked a surprising moment involving Dominique Wilkins.

During an interview with Brandon “B Scoop” Robinson, Wilkins, a Hall of Fame small forward, was asked to list his top five players at the position. “You got some winners in there. I always go with the guy who’s before us, you know. Elgin Baylor, Dr. J, Larry Bird, Bernard King, you know myself and of course, LeBron you know,” said Wilkins during the interview.

However, when reminded by Brandon about Carmelo Anthony, Wilkins immediately apologized and admitted, “I forgot about him, that’s another guy. I mean you know Baltimore guy that you know brought it his whole career. So you know sorry Carmelo and you know I did get into a lot of guys that fits that bill but Carmelo Anthony no question,” added Wilkins during the interview.

Carmelo Anthony’s omission in Wilkins’ initial list might have been an honest oversight, but it doesn’t diminish the illustrious career that “Melo” has carved out in the NBA. He ranks tenth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 28,289 points, a testament to his offensive prowess. Known for his smooth jump shot, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 1,260 regular-season games. One unforgettable performance that showcased Anthony’s skills came during the 2014 NBA season, where he scored a career-high 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Now, as a Hall of Famer with a nickname like “The Human Highlight Film,” Dominique Wilkins’ opinion on small forwards carries significant weight. During his 15-year NBA career, he amassed 26,668 points, ranking him 15th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list at the time of his retirement.

Wilkins’ apology to Anthony not only showcased humility but also highlighted the depth of talent at the small forward position. In the end, such debates are a celebration of the game’s history and the players who have left an indelible mark on it. Moreover, this isn’t the only time Wilkins had commented about Anthony.

Dominique Wilkins’ say during Anthony’s short stay with Atlanta Hawks

Anthony’s time with the Atlanta Hawks was fleeting but significant enough to spark discussions. In the summer of 2018, Anthony was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Hawks as part of a three-team deal. His stay in Atlanta was short-lived, as the team quickly waived him (Anthony wanted a contract buyout), allowing him to sign with the Houston Rockets. This brief period, although uneventful on the court, attracted attention from Dominique Wilkins.

Wilkins saw an opportunity for Anthony to make a meaningful impact in Atlanta. Known as “The Human Highlight Film,” he believed Carmelo could serve as a mentor to the Hawks’ young roster. “[Anthony] could’ve played for us, but we have so many young guys,” said Wilkins, who is now a TV analyst for the Hawks. “It’s about developing our young guys. He probably would have played some minutes. But we have Taurean Prince and other young guys who are up-and-coming.”

“When you get to a certain point in life, you have to accept that you’re not what you once were. It is OK to be a role player, because what you are doing is help mentoring the young guys that are really trying to take your place,” said Wilkins at that time (as per Andscape).

During his short stay with the Rockets, Anthony averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 10 games. Though brief, Anthony’s stint with the Hawks remains a “what-if” moment in NBA history, reflecting the potential of veterans in shaping future stars. What do you Anthony would have achieved if he stayed with the Hawks?