VIDEO: Knicks Fans Give Carmelo Anthony Standing Ovation in His Return to Madison Square Garden

For the first time since he left the New York Knicks after a messy end to his time in the Big Apple, Carmelo Anthony returned to Madison Square Garden as a member of the opposing team. Rather than shower Melo with the hate reserved for opposing players, the MSG faithful serenaded Anthony with cheers, showing appreciation for his time as a Knick.

Anthony is playing in Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2017, when he left the Knicks to join the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In his first season with Portland after a prolonged exodus from the game, Melo is averaging 15.7 points per game on 41% shooting and 6.2 rebounds per game. He's not the scoring champ he once was, but he's showing that he can still get buckets consistently.

Melo was unable to bring the Knicks a championship, but he was the only superstar in the James Dolan era to want to play for the Knicks, loved the spotlight of New York, and sustained his brilliance over nearly a decade. Because of this, he'll be revered as a deity in New York long after his career ends.