mobile app bar

“Carmelo Anthony found out he was a Laker while working out”: Former Damian Lillard teammate knocked down 19 straight 3s as he got the call to team up with LeBron James

Samir Mehdi
Published

“Carmelo Anthony found out he was a Laker while working out”: Former Damian Lillard teammate knocked down 19 straight 3s as he got the call to team up with LeBron James

Carmelo Anthony knocked down 19 straight 3-pointers while in the gym as he simultaneously found out that he was bound for the Lakers. 

Trading for Russell Westbrook seemed like the perfect way to assess whether talent trumps fit as him alongside LeBron James doesn’t seem like a duo that could succeed when sharing the floor. However, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers put all that talk to rest as they’ve surrounded their three superstars with players like Carmelo Anthony and Trevor Ariza. 

The Los Angeles Lakers realized that their trio of LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis isn’t exactly the floor-spacing ‘superteam’ that’s likely to win a ring in the 2020s. So, they went out and got role players that fit the floor-spacing mold to a ‘T’. Carmelo Anthony is definitely one of these guys as he shot 40% from 3-point land last season.

Also read: “Isiah Thomas and co didn’t have to shake our hands to know we whipped their a**”: Michael Jordan expected the Pistons to walk off following the Bulls sweep in 1991

Anthony’s time with the Portland Trailblazers helped him revitalize his career after being given up on by the Houston Rockets. Some might even say he was the reason the Blazers got as far as they in 2020 and 2021, asides from the fact that Damian Lillard is top 5 guard in the NBA. 

How Carmelo Anthony found out he was going to be a Lakers. 

Carmelo Anthony might as well be dubbed the ‘offseason king’ considering how many workout videos of his hit social media. Even at 37 years of age, Melo is a certified bucket, as proven by his time with the Blazers. So, in typical Carmelo fashion, he found out he was bound for the Lakers while working on his game with trainer, Chris Brickley.

Also read: “Steph Curry with $200 million more on that a**!”: Draymond Green puts up a hilarious picture of the Warriors MVP following historic contract extension

It’s more than obvious that Melo has a lot left in the tank to give, especially to a team like the Lakers, in need of a 3-point specialist. In the video shown above, he actually knocked down 19 straight shots from beyond the arc and looked like he could’ve hit more too. He even showed off his bounce with a light dunk. 

Some NBA fans believe that, like in Portland, Carmelo Anthony will have to be given big minutes and the opportunity isolate a couple of times during the game. In all fairness, Melo has earned the right to make such demands. If the past two years have shown anything, it’s that Melo is not irrational. 

He will not ask/demand to be put on the floor if he realizes that he’s being detrimental to the team by lacing up. At this stage in his career, it’s quite obvious that Anthony just wants a ring and teaming up with his fellow 2003 class draftee may be his only shot at claiming one. 

About the author

Samir Mehdi

Samir Mehdi

instagram-icon

Samir Mehdi is a senior strategist for the NBA division at The Sportsrush. Ever since he was 13 years old, he’s been obsessed with the game of basketball. From watching Kobe Bryant’s highlights on YouTube to now, analyzing and breaking down every single game on League Pass, Samir’s passion for the game is unwavering. He's a complete basketball junkie who not only breaks down current games but also keenly watches ones from the 60s’ and 70s’ while also reading comprehensive books on the history of the league. Samir’s life revolves around basketball and he hopes that shows in his work. Aside from work, he loves to spend time in the gym and with his friends at social gatherings.

Read more from Samir Mehdi

Share this article