One of the most recognizable names in basketball is Carmelo Anthony, recently revealed a surprising detail about his career. After nearly two decades in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the former star, known for his scoring prowess, named his two favorite teammates. What shocked fans and pundits alike was the omission of LeBron James from that list, despite their long-standing friendship and shared season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout his 19-year career, Anthony played for several notable teams, including the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Lakers. However, despite all his accomplishments, including 10 NBA All-Star selections and the 2013 scoring title, the one accolade that eluded him was an NBA championship.
Selected third overall in the highly regarded 2003 NBA draft, Anthony joined the Denver Nuggets, a team that was looking to rebuild after a series of disappointing seasons. He made an immediate impact and quickly became one of the league's most prolific scorers. In his rookie year, Anthony averaged 21 points per game, helping the Nuggets secure a playoff spot for the first time in several years.
Matas Buzelis says Carmelo Anthony is the greatest scorer ever
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 1, 2024
“I don't think people realize how insane it was to guard him.”
(🎥 @TheDeep3Podcast )
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Anthony’s time in Denver solidified his status as a future Hall of Famer. During his seven-and-a-half seasons with the Nuggets, he became a household name, leading the team to multiple playoff appearances and even reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2009. However, a championship continued to evade him, leading to his trade to the New York Knicks in 2011, a move that reignited the hopes of basketball fans in New York City.
In New York, Anthony became the face of the Knicks and enjoyed several career-defining moments. His 62-point game against the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014 remains the highest-scoring game in Madison Square Garden history. Yet, despite his success on the court, a championship remained out of reach for Anthony, both with the Knicks and the other teams he later played for.
In a recent episode of his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony opened up about his long career and the teammates who left the biggest mark on him. When asked who his favorite teammates were, Anthony’s response was both sentimental and revealing.
“I think out of all the teammates, it would have to be JR Smith and Kenyon Martin because that’s who was on my team for the longest of all of our years. We were in Denver. We were here in New York. We spent a lot of time together to the point where it’s like, I don’t even have to look at you, and you know what type of mode I’m in,” Anthony said.
JR Smith and Kenyon Martin were instrumental figures in Anthony’s career. The trio shared many years together in Denver and New York, which is likely why Anthony felt such a deep connection with them. Anthony and Smith played together in 536 games, while Anthony and Martin shared the court in 392 games. These numbers highlight the strong bond the players formed over nearly a decade of playing side by side.
Smith, known for his streaky shooting and energetic playing style, complemented Anthony’s scoring ability perfectly. Their chemistry on the court helped both the Nuggets and Knicks achieve some of their best seasons in recent history. Martin, meanwhile, provided a tough, defensive-minded presence in the paint, further solidifying the trio’s connection both on and off the court.
The familiarity and trust Anthony developed with Smith and Martin went beyond just basketball. “You know what I’m about to do. You know, you see it ahead of time,” Anthony remarked, speaking to the unspoken understanding that exists between close teammates. This level of camaraderie is rare in professional sports, where trades and roster changes happen frequently, making long-term relationships between players even more special.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Anthony’s comments was the exclusion of LeBron James, one of his closest friends in the NBA. Anthony and James have known each other since high school, and both were part of the historic 2003 draft class that also included Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Over the years, Anthony and James maintained a close relationship, often referring to each other as brothers.
So why wasn’t LeBron on Anthony’s list of favorite teammates? The answer may lie in the fact that the two only played together for one season, during the 2021-22 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite their personal bond, they simply didn’t have enough time to form the type of on-court connection that Anthony shared with Smith and Martin over several seasons.
During that single season with the Lakers, both Anthony and LeBron were battling the physical tolls of age and injury. While the team had high hopes of contending for a championship, they fell short, missing the playoffs entirely. For Anthony, this brief stint with the Lakers, though meaningful on a personal level, likely didn’t compare to the years of camaraderie he built with other teammates.
Carmelo Anthony will always be remembered as one of the NBA’s best scorers. His ability to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court was second to none. Over his 19-year career, Anthony scored more than 28,000 points, ranking him in the top 10 all-time for career points scored.
Yet, for all his individual accolades, the lack of a championship ring remains the biggest “what if” in Anthony’s career. Despite this, his legacy is secure. Few players can match his combination of scoring ability, leadership, and charisma, which earned him respect both on and off the court.
Beyond basketball, Anthony’s impact is equally significant. He has been an advocate for social justice, using his platform to speak out on issues such as racial inequality and police violence. His foundation, The Carmelo Anthony Foundation, has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of underserved communities through education and outreach programs.
Carmelo Anthony’s selection of JR Smith and Kenyon Martin as his favorite teammates highlights the importance of long-term relationships and trust in team sports. While fans may have been surprised by the exclusion of LeBron James, Anthony’s explanation shows that the bonds formed over years of shared experiences on the court are irreplaceable.
Though his playing days are over, Anthony remains an influential figure in the basketball world. Whether through his podcast, philanthropic efforts, or mentorship of young players, Carmelo’s presence will continue to be felt for years to come.
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