2016 Rio Olympic Games

Carmelo Anthony's Top 5 Olympic Games

Carmelo Anthony's Top 5 Olympic Games

Carmelo Anthony has officially retired from international play, which means his incredible Olympic career is over. Although Team USA's 96-66 win over Serbia

Aug 22, 2016 by Brett Regan
Carmelo Anthony's Top 5 Olympic Games
Carmelo Anthony has officially retired from international play, which means his incredible Olympic career is over. Although Team USA's 96-66 win over Serbia, which captured America's third consecutive gold medal on Sunday, was the last time the world would see him on the court in such a setting, Anthony left behind many highlights and memories to be replayed in the years to come.

Anthony finished the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with three outstanding Team USA records -- most games (31), most points (336), and most rebounds (125) -- as well as the accolade of being the only man to win three Olympic gold medals in basketball.

Here are Anthony's top five Olympic Games:

5. August 21, 2016: United States 96, Serbia 66 (Final)

This absolutely had to make the list. While it wasn't his best game in a Team USA uniform by any means, his emotional postgame interview on NBC Sports proved how much this one meant to him. He is now the most decorated men's basketball player in Olympic history. Being put back in the game to grab one last rebound to become the all-time leading rebounder in the fourth quarter was a nice touch, too. This was a classic farewell game.

Game stats: 7 points (3-for-7, 1-for-3 from 3-point range), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal


4. August 10, 2012: United States 109, Argentina 83 (Semifinals)


A vintage performance by 'Melo. He was efficient and did a little bit of everything to help Team USA get to the gold-medal game once again.

Game Stats: 18 points (7-for-14, 4-for-8 from 3-point range), 6 rebounds, 3 assists


3. August 22, 2008: United States 101, Argentina 81 (Semifinals)


It wasn't exactly a stellar shooting night for Anthony, but this was an important game for him and Team USA. Four years after he and Team USA were defeated by Argentina and ended up taking bronze, it was time for some revenge. Anthony was ultra-aggressive, lived at the foul line, and made sure Team USA got over the hump with a workmanlike performance. 

Game Stats: 21 points (3-for-14, 2-for-8 from 3-point range, 13-for-13 from free-throw line), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block


2. August 10, 2016: United States 98, Australia 88 (Group Play)


Arguably the last big-time performance of his Olympic career, Anthony was huge, and poured in a game-high 31 points to help Team USA escape Australia. Most notably, the hot shooting from behind the arc boosted him above LeBron James to become the all-time leading scorer for Team USA. The record may not last long—Kevin Durant isn't far behind, and James may play in 2020—but he has it now and for at least the next four years. So many buckets.

Game Stats: 31 points (11-for-21, 9-for-15 from 3-point range), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals


1. August 2, 2012: United States 156, Nigeria 73 (Group Play)


What else? Seriously, it will be hard for anyone to top what Anthony did here. Not only did he drop 37 points -- a single-game Olympic scoring record for Team USA -- he did it in ONLY 14 MINUTES. Not much else needs to be added to what has already been said and written about it. Just watch the highlights again. It's still amazing.

Game Stats: 37 points (13-for-16, 10-for-12 from 3-point range), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal