Rare Photo Shows Young LeBron James Getting Drunk With Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony

NBA superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony have been close friends for a long time. While LeBron, Wade, and Carmelo were drafted in 2003, Chris Paul was drafted in 2005. As long-time close friends, they often spend time outside of basketball. And a photo of young LeBron, Wade, Chris, and Carmelo from 2006 has surfaced now. 

The photo shows the then-young NBA superstars getting drunk in a bar. The group of superstars with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony is called the ‘Banana Boat Squad’. 

The name ‘Banana Boat Squad’ first started after a photo of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul in a banana boat surfaced during their vacation in 2015. Even though Carmelo was not in the picture, he was with them during the vacation. In 2016, the ‘Banana Boat Squad’ even received their own “Banana Boys” filter from Snapchat.

Superteams

LeBron James got his first taste of playing together with Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony for the U.S. National team during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This team was called ‘The Redeem Team’ because, in 2004, the U.S. team came home only with the Bronze medal. And, ‘The Redeem Team’, like the name suggests, redeemed themselves by winning the Gold medal against the Spain National team in the finals.

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In the NBA, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade formed a deadly partnership with Chris Bosh in Miami when LeBron signed with the Heat. The Big 3 reached the NBA finals 4 times and won the championship twice. Wade and LeBron played alongside again during the 2017-18 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But they weren’t able to emulate their Miami days for the Cavs.

In 2018, Carmelo Anthony got the opportunity to play alongside Chris Paul. The Houston Rockets signed him as a free agent. But, the partnership didn’t last long. After playing just 10 games, the Rockets traded Carmelo Anthony to the Chicago Bulls.

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Then in 2021, the Lakers signed Carmelo Anthony making his team up with LeBron James for the first time in the NBA. And expectations were high. But it didn’t turn out to be a fruitful season, as the Lakers shockingly missed out on the playoffs.

Teens to legends to Hall of Famers

As a part of the NBA 75 celebrations, the top 75 best players ever to play in the NBA were revealed. And, the group of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony all made the list.

The ‘Banana Boys’ won’t be able to join forces in the NBA because of Dwyane Wade’s retirement in 2019. But the group of 4 close friends will inevitably end up alongside each other in the NBA Hall Of Fame.