4x NBA champion LeBron James had an inspiring message for his close friend and newly recruited Laker Carmelo Anthony.
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Recently, free-agent Carmelo Anthony signed a 1-year deal with the LA Lakers. Thus joining forces with his classmate from the 2003 NBA Draft, LeBron James.
Finally, uniting Melo and LeBron, who have for years wanted to play together. There was a strong possibility of them uniting in Miami alongside Dwyane Wade. However, as per reports, Anthony prioritized a bigger contract and role.
Melo signed with the New York Knicks towards the end of the 2010-11 regular season. The former scoring champion played 7 seasons for the franchise.
The 3x Olympic gold medalist averaged 24.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 1.0 SPG, shooting 44.3% from the field in his 7 seasons with the Knicks. During the 2017-18 off-season, reports of Melo having multiple conflicts with then-team President Phil Jackson surfaced in the media.
Melo was soon traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, though his stint with OKC didn’t last for more than a single season. What followed was the worst phase of the 10x All-Star’s career after signing a 1-year veteran’s contract with the Houston Rockets.
The veteran was made to sit by the Rockets, citing the envision to sign Anthony didn’t go as planned. The superstar was away from professional basketball for almost a year and a half with no team willing to sign him.
However, fate gave Melo a second innings in Portland alongside proficient guard Damian Lillard. Anthony accepted his role of coming off the bench gracefully. In his 2 seasons with the Blazers, he averaged 14.3 PPG, shooting 42.5% from the field and 39.5% from the 3-point line.
The superstar recently signed with the LA Lakers in a quest to win a title, the only thing missing from his Hall of Fame resume.
LeBron James shares an emotional message with Carmelo Anthony on his arrival at the Staples Center
The banana boat sailors are finally coming together after playing 18 seasons each in the NBA. When asked about teaming up with King James,
Melo said, “Most people would say you should’ve gotten together years ago or earlier in our careers. But we were in two different lanes,” Anthony said. “We were in two different paths. Everything comes full circle.”
He further added,
“It seems like throughout my whole career, I’ve always stayed connected with the Lakers someway or somehow,” Anthony said. “Whether it was through my brother, Kobe, regardless to what it is, I’ve always been connected somehow.”
The 37-year old is all excited to embark on a journey with the purple and gold team.
“I’m coming in with a championship on my mind,” Anthony said. “We all know this is the one thing that I’m missing. This is the one thing that keeps me up at night. It motivates me. I don’t have it. I want that experience.”
James sent Anthony an emotional message on him being a Laker officially, “The time is now, we’ve got to make it happen. We want you.”
Anthony ranks 10th in the list of all-time points scored and shall look to move up a few places as he begins his new journey in purple and gold.
