“I Salute”: Lakers’ LeBron James Lauds Carmelo Anthony Remembering Good Old Days with Him

Four-time MVP LeBron James is an industrious, funny, and humble man. He possesses all the ingredients that make him likable. But on the court, he is nothing less than a monster. Needless to say, the 35-YO played a succinct part in The Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 3 win against the Blazers.

He’s gotten 38 points, 12 reb, and 8 ast. Along with those figures, he set a flurry of records. With four 3 PM, he became third all-time in NBA Playoffs three-pointers. Also, he has now got the second-most (only behind Derek Fisher) Playoffs wins in the NBA. 

Nevertheless, the man of the hour loves to stay grounded.

LeBron James sees a friend in the Portland Trail Blazers Forward

The Akron Hammer remembered his relationship with an old buddy and current opponent, Carmelo Anthony. The two became friends almost two decades ago when they met in AAU Basketball. As fate would have it, both of them got drafted in the same year, 2003. LeBron as the first went to Cavs and Melo as the third overall pick went to Nuggets. 

Before this Playoffs season, the two amigos last faced one another in a Playoffs series in 2012, when Bron was with Miami Heat and Anthony with the Knicks. The Miami Heat won 4-1. And now, here we are.

LeBron said in a post-game interview, “We’re 20 years in our friendship. To be at this stage and to see where he is right now after not being with a team and things of that nature, I salute Portland giving him the opportunity. He’s made the most of it. He was great tonight. He’s a midrange assassin as well, and he showed that in that 3rd quarter. An exceptional game for him.”

Not just this, he even posted on Twitter, tweeting, “And he still tryna post me up on the block too! This guy man! [ROFL Smileys] @carmeloanthony”

Carmelo Anthony is giving his all in the game!

As we all know, things did not work out well for Melo in the OKC or in the Houston Rockets camp. He was a free agent and rumors were strong that he might retire. That’s when the Blazers gave him a platform, and he has let no one down. Not even his former All-star team and Olympics teammate LeBron James.

As LeBron proudly mentioned, “It’s just very humbling and something we’ll talk about long after our careers. The battles, not only as opponents as you see tonight, but as teammates in All-Star games and Olympic teams.”

For sure, the Melo of 2009-10 is long gone, but he is still strong at his catch-and-shoot abilities. He has collected 11 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in the Playoffs this season. Those numbers are well below his own regular-season average, but he is playing a good helping hand to support Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. It remains to see whether the Blazers will play their last game against the Lakers on August 23 at 9 PM ET (TNT) in the NBA Playoffs 2020.

Read: Lakers’ Star LeBron James Surpasses NBA Legend For Most Playoffs Win Record