MMPG: Player of the Week

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Gimme my props, y'all. (AP Photo)

The Nuggets played only two games last week, but Carmelo Anthony needed only one quarter to set himself apart. In one blistering third quarter, Anthony erased David Thompson's name from the Nuggets record book and put his name on top, scoring 33 points in the period against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The mark matched the NBA record for points in a single quarter that George Gervin set on the final game of the regular season in 1978, when the Iceman was pursuing of the scoring title. Thompson actually had his 32-point quarter that same night.

Anthony wasn't gunning for any individual accolades. He was just trying to help his team climb back from a 12-point halftime deficit. Anthony kept shooting and shooting, and he wasn't missing. He made 12 of 15 shots and hit four three-pointers to get 33 points -- which is one more point than he scored in the previous two games combined. He said he hadn't felt so good shooting since he exploded for a 49 points against the Wizards last season.

Anthony finished with 45 points and 11 rebounds that night against Minnesota. He then had 27 points and 9 rebounds in a win against Golden State on Saturday. The impressive part is that Anthony has been playing with a sore left elbow.

You can check out Anthony's big quarter here: