Carmelo Anthony was at Madison Square Garden, cheering as the Knicks brought down the Milwaukee Bucks 116-94 on Friday night. But for Melo, the real highlight wasn’t just New York’s win; it was the heartfelt reunion with his old teammate, Damian Lillard. Years ago, Melo had told Dame bluntly, “get the f*ck out” of Portland, to elevate his career—a piece of advice Lillard ultimately embraced, joining the Bucks last season. Seeing his friend finally make that leap brought out a mix of nostalgia and pride for Melo.

On Friday, the Knicks snapped a two-game skid with a dominant performance. New York never trailed, and six players hit double figures, pushing the team to an even 4-4 for the season. On the flip side, the Bucks, now 2-7, struggled to find momentum as they stumbled to their seventh loss in eight games. But after the buzzer sounded, all eyes were on Melo and Dame as they shared a long embrace, catching up like old friends who’d both weathered the highs and lows of the league.

Damian Lillard’s blockbuster trade to the Milwaukee Bucks shook the NBA world last offseason, as the Bucks hadn’t even been on the radar as a top contender for Dame. But Carmelo Anthony is still happy for his former teammate. Why? Last year on his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Melo revealed his brutally honest advice to Lillard before the big switch. “We spoke. I was telling Dame, ‘Man, get the fu*k out of here [Portland],’” Melo shared.

Interestingly, Melo had experienced a similar loyalty dilemma in his own career. “You was in the same situation I was in, in Denver,” Melo told Lillard, hinting at his own decision to part ways with the Nuggets after more than seven seasons. Like Melo, Lillard had become the heart of Portland, setting franchise records in points, free throws, and three-pointers. Yet, as Melo noted, “Our loyalty gonna kill us.” After 11 seasons and two playoff misses, Dame finally decided it was time for a fresh start.

Even after the trade, Lillard didn’t forget his Portland roots, addressing fans in a heartfelt X post: “The casuals won’t be addressed, but the trailblazers fans and city of Portland that I love truly will be … stay tuned.” Clearly, Melo’s perspective left an impression. And with a legendary career that’s earned him a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, his words carry weight. Nonetheless, it doesn’t take away from another disappointing performance by Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Bucks continue to disappoint

The Knicks’ big win didn’t just showcase teamwork, it highlighted some stellar individual performances. Karl-Anthony Towns was unstoppable, leading with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Jalen Brunson added 15 points and nine assists, while Josh Hart chipped in with 11 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. This marked the third time this season the Knicks clinched a win by at least 20 points, underscoring their potential to surprise in the Eastern Conference.

Yet, despite the Bucks’ struggles, their roster boasts undeniable star power. With Giannis Antetokounmpo dropping 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Lillard adding 19 points, Milwaukee’s talent is evident. However, they’re missing a key piece in Khris Middleton, who has yet to make his season debut. The Bucks are now just 1-5 on the road, with questions mounting about how this team can turn things around. Maybe heeding to Melo’s advice isn’t working too well for Dame.

As for Melo’s own Portland chapter, he shared the court with Lillard for two seasons, averaging 14.3 points and hitting nearly 40% from deep. The bond they formed then? It seems to run deeper than just shared court time.