Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA through the most anticipated NBA Draft-class of all time. But since his high school days, Melo has had a great relationship with one of his fellow draftees. The man because of whom that class was so hyped, LeBron James. However, Anthony’s GOAT has always been Michael Jordan. He even reached out to Jordan and practiced with him as soon as he made it to the NBA. The then 19-year-old forward developed a relationship with MJ, while also becoming the only Jordan brand athlete of his class.
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Anthony never became a two-way force like Jordan. However, he is one of the most prolific scorers in the game. In his prime, he was such a huge problem, that even All-NBA caliber defenders found it difficult to deal with him.
But early in his career, it wasn’t as easy for him. That’s when he went to MJ for advice. He elaborated on how and what he learned from the Bulls savant along with a ‘trash-talk’ incident in an interview on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast.
When Carmelo Anthony understood not to ever trash-talk the GOAT, Michael Jordan
In an appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast last year, Carmelo Anthony opened up about his relationship with Michael Jordan who had retired from the game permanently when Melo entered the league.
The 10x All-Star revealed he spent a week and a half with Jordan in Chicago, where they trained each day in the morning. The 5x MVP would teach Anthony how to beat certain defenses, how to break down films, and also the art of scoring.
When the hosts asked him about some trash-talk stories, Carmelo revealed how it was impossible it was to do it to MJ who would always bring up championships.
“You cannot argue with that man [Michael Jordan], it’s impossible,” Melo told of the time when they would pull MJ’s legs for being short and light, and he’d bring up rings.
“He knows a certain of us you know that we go back at him like we’ll talk our sh*t to him. But then he gets to start talking about winning and rings and sh*t. That’s his defense mechanism.”
It must have been impossible for Anthony to come back from that because he won no rings in his 20-year career. That is the sole reason why MJ used it against him, and every other player who won less than him.
Why Melo has Jordan as the GOAT over James?
NBA fans believe Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James are the best of friends since the two, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul were seen on a banana boat enjoying their vacation.
Apart from saving Melo from drowning, James has accomplished a lot in the NBA. He is up there with some of the greatest to challenge Jordan for the GOAT title.
However, for Melo, his best friend and savior isn’t the GOAT, as he said in an interview with CBS’ Colin Ward-Henninger in 2020.
“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.”
