LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were never destined to be teammates. LeBron was a high school prodigy, The Chosen One, and Carmelo had just led Syracuse to a national championship, thus emerging as a polished, battle-tested winner. When drafted in 2003, they weren’t just two stars of the 2003 NBA draft. Instead, the front page of a Cleveland Plain Dealer’s sports section styled them as basketball’s Ali vs Frazier— two young phenoms destined for a relentless battle for supremacy. Even the tagline of the old-fashioned poster read, “Rivalry Begins Tonight!”–one that would define an era. Well, define it did– just not in the way you’d come to expect. While Ali and Frazier’s intense battles were indeed fueled by animosity, LeBron and Carmelo’s story took a much different path.

But even scripted rivalries have a way of rewriting themselves. On the night of “Clash of the Titans”, as the poster declared their battle had begun. LeBron James, the number one overall pick in 2003 NBA draft scored 36 points, and Carmelo Anthony selected third scored 34. Despite the slight point disparity, LeBron was outplayed in his Cleveland home debut, and Anthony led the Nuggets to a win, proving that the No. 1 pick didn’t guarantee immediate dominance. Anthony kept winning their head-to-head matchups, taking eight of their first ten games. He averaged more points and rebounds in their rookie season and led Denver to the playoffs while LeBron’s Cavaliers stayed home. Even when LeBron claimed Rookie of the Year honors, Carmelo believed the vote should’ve been closer—maybe even in his favor, but James won.

And yet, when the playoffs rolled around that spring, LeBron showed up in Denver—not to scout or analyze, but to support Carmelo. The latter was surprised, even caught off guard, but touched by the simple act of friendship all the same. Through the years, their careers diverged, and their choices placed them on different paths, even together for once in 2021, but that connection never faded. “No matter if I was in Denver playing, New York, no matter where I was at and wherever he was at, that connection was always there,” Anthony shared of their bond.

Well, it surely was. When Carmelo Anthony secured his place among basketball’s immortals with a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame election, LeBron James didn’t hold back his admiration. No debates, no rivalries—just a friend celebrating another’s long-overdue recognition with a simple five-word message. “CONGRATULATIONS MY BROTHER! PEACE GOD @carmeloanthony,” LeBron tweeted, his words carrying the weight of two decades of shared history. It wasn’t just a message; it was a tribute to everything Carmelo had fought for—the scorer, the champion, the icon who had carved his legacy in his own way. After all, the two friends weren’t just competing for wins, they were vying for legacy, side by side, yet apart.

But while Anthony has already secured his place in Springfield, six others are still waiting for their moment. Some names feel inevitable; others spark debate. And in Dwight Howard’s case, the conversation has been ongoing for years.

Dwight Howard is not stressing for the Hall of Fame announcement

As the 2025 Hall of Fame announcements we have our very first inductee, Carmelo Anthony. He’s won the race ahead of another former Lakers star Dwight Howard and other players and coaches including Marques Johnson, Buck Williams, Billy Donovan, Jerry Walsh, and Mark Flew. These are the well-deserved finalists put together for this year’s Hall of Fame class. They are now being assessed by the Honors committee to be finally named into the Class of 2025. Melo is the first name to be finalized while the rest have to wait one more night.

The final decision will be made on April 5th during the NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament in San Antonio. While it might be a stressful time for the majority of finalists, Dwight Howard isn’t cut from the same cloth as others. The 39-year-old is known for his powerful game on the court and he’s achieved a lot during his time as a player. So, he is grateful for what he’s been able to experience as a player. Moreover, Howard’s focus is on the journey rather than the final destination. In a heartfelt message on social media Howard let his true feelings known to his fans.

“Whether I make the Hall of Fame or not, getting inducted into the Orlando Magic HOF and celebrating with my partners was a blessing, and I’m truly appreciative.” He wrote on X. Well, he’s truly grateful for just being able to be named among some of the best players to very step foot on the court. Howard himself was an internal part of Orlando and LA teams, whether or not he gets inducted remains to be seen. But he’s surely won many hearts through his heartfelt message and hopefully, he’ll join Carmelo Anthony on Thursday when the announcement comes through.