The NBA has witnessed numerous instances of legendary players making triumphant returns to the league, defying the odds, and rekindling their passion for the game. Just ask Michael Jordan, who famously unretired twice, once with the Chicago Bulls and another time with the Washington Wizards, or Magic Johnson, who returned to the court after a four-year hiatus. Now, it seems like another NBA legend might be eyeing a comeback, and it’s none other than 10x All-Star Carmelo Anthony. 

Midway through a recent episode of the “7 pm in Brooklyn Podcast,”  Kid Mero shared that he had never played any professional, then proceeded to ask Anthony if he ever gets the feeling of starting a new stint with basketball, to which Anthony dropped this bombshell: “If I’m in a gym, training, I’ll get the itch.” This information has opened doors for speculation as it tells that the former New York Knicks player still has that basketballer in him. However, there’s a catch to this speculation.

Even though Anthony has shown signs of interest in rejoining the league, he has also shared some information that clashes with it. “I don’t get the itch going to games though,” said the 40-year-old. The reason he gives as to why he doesn’t get an “itch” from seeing a game is pretty straightforward. He is not a fan of the fact of how lengthy and strenuous the process is getting back to the game. The preparation and the mentality to play in today’s NBA can take a huge toll on anyone who hasn’t played for a while because of the fact how fast-paced the game has become.

Anthony also says that it is now hard for him to get into the shape to play according to the current standards and also doesn’t know at what number a team will put him at. As the NBA community digests Anthony’s comments, the ball is now in the court of team executives and coaches. Will a contender take a chance on the aging star? Could a young team benefit from his veteran presence and scoring prowess? As speculation like this continues, let us revisit the time when Anthony was out of the league for almost a year.

When Carmelo Anthony was out for almost a year

After a tumultuous season with the Houston Rockets, Carmelo Anthony found himself out of the NBA for nearly a year. His time in Houston was marked by inconsistency and a declining skillset, leading to his eventual release. After he joined the Rockets, the team lost seven of their eleven opening games. He was then traded off to the Chicago Bulls on January 22nd, 2019.

Unfortunately, the stint with the Chicago Bulls was also short-lived. On some tax issues, the Bulls waived him off on February 1, 2019. He was out of the league for almost a year, but then he found peace in November of 2019 when he joined the Portland Trail Blazers. “The support that I have from not just my fans but from a lot of different people—that’s something that’s a humbling experience for me,” Anthony had said time (as per CBS).

In Portland, Anthony found a new lease on life. He embraced his role as a complementary player, focusing on his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses. He was named the “Western Conference Player of the Week” a few days after his joining. His presence also had a positive impact on the team’s locker room, offering mentorship and guidance to the younger players.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.