Player comparisons have always been a hallmark of NBA debates. From contrasting Michael Jordan’s dominance to Kobe Bryant’s mamba mentality to the perennial LeBron James-versus-Kevin Durant debates, basketball fans love drawing parallels between stars of different eras. This taste for comparisons has sparked heated discussions, ignited barbershop debates, and, occasionally, humorous reactions from the players themselves. The latest spark? A fan’s latest player comparison on social media is making waves.

A fan posted a unique comparison between former NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony and New Orleans Pelicans Stars, Brandon Ingram, on X. “Brandon Ingram is the modern day Carmelo Anthony. He puts up points somewhat efficiently but it rarely leads to wins“, read the caption of the post. It didn’t go unnoticed as former Syracuse standout Anthony responded by retweeting the comment with a series of laughing emojis.

The fan’s comparison of Melo and Ingram doesn’t come out of thin air. It is speculated that the fan focused on the jab-step tactic followed by Ingram which is a basketball move where a player holding the ball takes a short step in a direction is quite similar to that of Anthony’s shot antics. However, the stats say the otherwise.

At twenty seven years old, Brandon Ingram is in the heart of his prime. A smooth scorer with a knack for mid-range jumpers, he has often been the offensive anchor for the New Orleans Pelicans. Currently, he is averaging about 22.2 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Yet, criticism has followed him, centered on the Pelicans’ inconsistent performance and inability to make deep playoff runs.

However, Carmelo Anthony’s career at 27 is much more storied. Back then, Melo put up 22.6 PPG and 6.3 RPG. At that age, Anthony was already over 13,000 career points and was a standout in the NBA. In 2009 he took the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals and averaged more than 25 per game in the finals.

While Ingram has shown flashes of brilliance, including an All-Star nod in 2020, he has yet to reach Melo’s level of individual dominance or postseason impact by the same age. Carmelo Anthony’s laughing emojis could be interpreted as a light-hearted dismissal of the comparison, but it might also reflect his understanding of the nuances behind such debates.  However the fan wasn’t the only one to make such a comparison.

When another expert made the same comparison

When another expert made the same comparison, it reignited discussions about the similarities between the two players. Carmelo Anthony, the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, was quickly heralded as one of the best scorers of his generation. Two decades later, Brandon Ingram, drafted second overall in 2016, has followed a similar scoring trajectory. Their shared stature and playing style have drawn inevitable comparisons over the years.

In fact, just a year before the fan’s remarks, Joe Vardon of The Athletic sparked conversation with a similar observation. “To me, he is one of two locks to start for Kerr, and has a chance to be a force as a scorer the way Carmelo Anthony was in all his tours with Team USA (the program’s all-time leading scorer). At 6-foot-8, Ingram can score from anywhere on the floor. He can get to the rim, is excellent in the mid-range, and at the end of a close game is a candidate to take the last shot,” said Vardon (via Sports Illustrated).

Throughout their overlapping careers, Anthony and Ingram have faced off 12 times, with each matchup showcasing their distinct approaches to scoring. These games have often symbolized a passing of the torch between two players who share a similar style. But do Carmelo Anthony and Brandon Ingram truly play alike? Share your thoughts in the comments below!