10 Years After Carmelo Anthony Claimed He’d Beat Michael Jordan 1-on-1, Son Kiyan Snubs ‘His Airness’ for the GOAT Title

Just after getting drafted in the same class as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony signed a massive six-year shoe deal with the Jordan brand. Since the beginning of his career, having Melo sign with the brand has made them both close to each other. Even when Melo was drafted behind Lebron, Jordan preferably picked the former NBA star. Apparently, during an interview in 2012, Melo said that he would beat then MJ on 1-on-1. Perhaps after 10 years of that interview, Kiyan Anthony, Melo’s son, took his father’s words to another level as he snubbed Mike from his GOAT list. 

In 2012, when Anthony was still with the New York Knicks, he claimed that he would beat Jordan in a 1-vs-1 game. He claimed that the game between them wouldn’t end. However, he said he would probably beat him if he played him then.

Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan Anthony snubs MJ and LeBron from his GOAT list

Either, it is true that the upcoming young NBA players are moving away from the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate. Or it is just that they are growing up to be some massive trash talkers. But here is another guess, maybe they know how to actually come into focus. Kiyan, Anthony’s son, was recently asked to pick his GOATs. He quickly picked three players, and surprisingly, they were all from the same modern era of players. Speaking on his GOAT choice, Anthony Jr. said, 

“Paul George is the best player ever. Not THE GOAT, but my GOAT. Top 3 is Paul George, Kobe, Melo.”

Carmelo’s son, Kiyan Anthony: Paul George is the best player ever. Not THE GOAT, but my GOAT. Top 3 is Paul George, Kobe, Melo pic.twitter.com/BML6fopZxy

— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) July 16, 2023

This is not the first time a young player has chosen PG as his GOAT. Previously, selected 2nd in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, Brandon Miller has chosen George as his GOAT.

Melo chooses Michael Jordan GOAT over his best friend LeBron James

In 2020, Carmelo Anthony was interviewed by Colin Ward-Henninger from CBS Sports. Melo was asked about who, according to him, was the GOAT of basketball. The former Denver Nuggets star took MJ’s name over LeBron without a second thought. However, he also added that James should be recognized for his greatness as well. Melo said this in the interview,

“You know, M.J. is the GOAT. He’s the greatest ever. We all know that, and we all agree to that. Why can’t we say that, but also give LeBron his flowers while he’s here too? Why can’t we say, ‘M.J. was very great, LeBron is very great, Kobe is very great.’ We’re not allowed to say those things today because it’s always this or that, and that’s just our society—you have to choose one.”

However, he also added that instead of choosing one from many, it is better to give credit to greatness. While MJ was in the past and choosing him over James, who is still playing is just not right.