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“LeBron James did nothing when Carmelo Anthony was unemployed and nobody wanted him”: Stephen A Smith slams Lakers star for abandoning Melo

Arjun Julka
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“LeBron James, you’re the Lakers GM”: Carmelo Anthony hilariously explains how ‘The King’ lured him to Los Angeles

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith calls out LeBron James for not helping Carmelo Anthony back in 2018-19 when Melo had no job in the league

Carmelo Anthony signing with the LA Lakers has made the fans of the banana boat more excited than ever. This move unites Melo with LeBron James, both of whom were part of the same 2003 draft class. While talking about his recent signing with the Lakers, Melo said, “Bron just came to me one time and said, ‘Yo, the time is now. I want you. We got to make this happen,'” he added, “And I just felt like for right now, this is the best time.”

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This is the 37-year old’s best and probably last chance to win an NBA championship, the only thing missing from his Hall of Fame resume. During a recent episode of First Take, analyst Stephen A. Smith questioned King James for not teaming up with Melo earlier.

Stephen A. Smith put LeBron James on the hot seat during an episode of the First Take

In his 2 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Carmelo Anthony averaged 14.3 PPG on a 42.5% shooting from the field and 39.9% shooting from the 3-point line, coming off the bench.

However, before his stint with the Blazers, the former scoring champion was without a team in the NBA for more than a year. In 2018, the Rockets decided to part ways with Melo after playing a mere 10 games, thus leaving him without a job.

Smith didn’t let this point fly under the radar and brought it up recently on ESPN’s First Take.

“This precipitous drop-off that everybody tried to put out there about him when he couldn’t get a damn job in the league, and then he ultimately ended up being interviewed right here in this studio with me looking for a job, it was utterly ridiculous and insane that he was ever subjected to that. And what did LeBron James do at that particular moment in time? The answer would be, ‘nothing.”‘

Also Read: “Give Kawhi Leonard everything but a long term contract”: Stephen A Smith has a message for the Los Angeles Clippers as they plan to re-sign ‘The Klaw’

Smith’s points seemed valid as Anthony’s inability to get a job in the 2018-19 season was bizarre. Many top-tier players expressed their disappointment during the time but did nothing to improve Melo’s situation.

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka

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Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

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