As Team USA was struggling to get past the troubled waters late into the fourth quarter, it was Kevin Durant who increased the margin cushion to four, with just 34 seconds remaining on the clock. It was a lone dribble, drive, and dagger jump combo that Durant pulled off in a one-on-one showdown. The indefensible scenery Durant presented was seemingly performed with a little help from second-all-time Team USA leading scorer and former NBA star Carmelo Anthony.

Sitting on the sidelines, his son, Kiyan Anthony, witnessed his 10x NBA All-Star father being a minor factor in the historic game against Serbia in the semi-finals. One of the clips performing the dagger jump to score the basket went viral on the internet with the caption, “Kevin Durant iso middy.”

Carmelo Anthony was literally guiding the Suns star from the audience, waving off while KD was making his moves. Witnessing such a sight uniting the different generations of basketball, a fan got sentimental and posted on X, “Man, this sport is beautiful. What a moment.”

Seemingly, what fans assumed Anthony preached at that moment was Curry being the perfect decoy as he ran across the three-point line to get the Serbian defense’s attention. It was already an emotional ride for the fans after the breathtaking comeback. However, Carmelo Anthony’s being the parent guide compelled them to pull out tissues for their tears of happiness.

Fans get emotional over Carmelo Anthony’s sideline coaching

Coming off a close upset, all that Team USA was focusing on when Kevin Durant made that two-pointer, extending the margin somehow against the Serbians. Even fans tucked their eyes into every movement on the court. In such a scenario, Carmelo could analyze the play, thanks to his Olympic experience. On top of that, he already had a way out as he was yelling instructions from the corner. Witnessing such a sight, a fan was left in tears as he replied on X, “Melo yelling KD to cook that guy😭😭” Though the mics could not catch what he said, it worked out well for the team.

One user on X commented on Anthon’s energy on the court, “Melo down at the bottom of the screen was HYPE!!!!” In the middle bottom side of the clip, Carmelo Anthony’s vibe was something else, as he was seemingly asking Durant to just charge through the defense while KD was dribbling just above the arc. Well, it was obvious because Anthony himself was a power forward throughout his life, averaging 22.5 career points.

Another basketball fanatic was just happy to witness the father-son duo of Carmelo-Kiyan on courtside as he commented, “Kiyan standing next to pops, this shit meant something.”

The 17-year-old Kiyan is studying at Long Island Lutheran High School in New York, his father’s long-term NBA home in the past. The young shooting guard has been a marvelous performer, just like his father. ESPN even put the young Anthony among the top prospects of the 2025 draft class. It was more of a first-hand adrenaline rush experience from the perspective of his father, Carmelo.

Well, it is indeed a splendid moment for Kiyan as well since his father showcased his prowess last time in the Olympics in Rio[2016]. Being a basketball legend, Carmelo’s numbers in the Summer games are something else.

Carmelo Anthony’s Olympic accolades

Carmelo Anthony, who has been a 3x Olympic gold medalist, was the perfect fit to advise Team USA’s Durant, who is treading on his way to the fourth gold medal. During his 14-year stint serving the USA Basketball, Carmelo Anthony made four Olympic appearances with only one bronze in 2004, Athens. The 40-year-old’s Olympic career is a decor the players with high ambitions as Anthony is leading the USA Basketball Men’s Olympic charts in total games(31), field goals made (113),  rebounds (125), field goals attempted (262), free throws made (53), three-point field goals attempted (139), and attempted free throws (71). However, that’s not it! He’s also the leading point scorer for the men’s team in the Olympics, with 336 points.

Even the historic feat that Stephen Curry achieved with his 36-point streak is still one short of Carmelo Anthony’s record. The power forward recorded 37 points against Nigeria during the London Olympics(2012). Yet Carmelo’s spirit was nothing short of cheering Stephen Curry from the sidelines as his love for the nation surpassed any record at that moment.

With about four minutes left till the end of the game, Stephen gave a big smile to the NBA legend sitting on the sidelines as Team USA tied with Serbia. Later, after all of it was over, the two greats of the game shared a long hug to celebrate their departure to another final in Olympic basketball. However, one of the standout moments that got fans’ eyes was when Anthony just flashed through the air vertically to cheer Curry’s three down the four quarters.

It was a night of ups and downs for the Hoopers’ fanbase. However, they established a legacy with their game, claiming Team USA never bows before anyone. And Carmelo Anthony was there to witness the passing baton that he carried during his career.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.