After 19 seasons in the league, Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement on May 22, 2023. While he had one of the most outstanding careers in league history, including 10 NBA All-Star selections, six All-NBA selections, and one scoring title, he retired without winning the elusive NBA championship. Even though he never went to the NBA Finals, he left an indelible mark by helping the US Olympic team win Olympic gold three times at Beijing in 2008, at London in 2012, and at Rio in 2016.

However, despite his storied career, according to the 39-year-old, his legacy was not defined by his “feats” on the court or the accolades he had amassed, but by his son. He said in his retirement video, “My legacy, my son … I will forever continue through you. The time has come for you to carry this torch.” But his “legacy” recently ignited a family feud when he snubbed his dad while picking his GOAT basketball player.

During a recent episode of Complex’s GOAT TALK, when asked to choose the greatest basketball player of all time, Kiyan, Carmelo Anthony’s son, did not hesitate to name Paul George as his top pick. He then placed Kobe Bryant second and, after a stern look from his mother, reluctantly named his father third. “My GOAT is Paul George. Paul George is the best player ever. Kobe. Paul George…Carmelo Anthony” said the 16-year-old.

The fact that he did not name his father first did not go unnoticed by his mom and Melo’s ex-wife, La La Anthony, who playfully threw the cards at him in disappointment. Kiyan then defended his choice, stating, “Obviously he’s the GOAT, there’s level though like…He don’t even got a-” Although he stopped himself mid-sentence, we all know what came next. Ironically, PG13 hasn’t even come close to the NBA Finals either, let alone winning a ring. While Kiyan’s GOAT is apparent, who does Melo consider as his greatest of all time?

Carmelo Anthony weighs in on the GOAT debate

In 2020, during an interview with Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports, Carmelo Anthony weighed in on the GOAT debate. While he made it clear that his GOAT was Michael Jordan, he also posed pressing questions about appreciating the greatness of multiple players simultaneously.

He emphasized that it’s possible to acknowledge the greatness of Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and other legends without diminishing any of their achievements. “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,’ stated Melo.

Read More: Carmelo Anthony Misses the ‘Cut’ as Dwyane Wade Reveals His “Dream” List: “Players That I Like…”