Carmelo Anthony’s Hall of Fame weekend was filled with celebration, reflection, and humor, but one comment stood out when he spoke about his longtime friend, LeBron James. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Anthony jokingly urged James to finally hang up his sneakers and join him in retirement.
“That’s my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the Hall of Fame, and for him, hopefully get his ass up out of there and come on over this side. Enough is enough. Give it a break.”
It was Melo at his lighthearted best, poking fun at his close friend while also marveling at James’ remarkable longevity. The two entered the NBA together in the famous 2003 Draft, alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and were linked for decades as both rivals and teammates.
Their bond extended off the court as part of the “banana boat” brotherhood, a friendship that became as iconic as their on-court battles.
Anthony himself retired in 2023 after a 19-year career that saw him become the ninth-leading scorer in NBA history at the time. He has since been celebrated for his impact on the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Team USA, where he became one of the most decorated Olympic basketball players of all time. Now enshrined in Springfield, Melo is enjoying life on the other side of the game.
LeBron, however, is still pushing forward at age 40. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 70 games, good enough for an All-NBA Second Team selection.
He also opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league despite being in his 23rd season. The Lakers, with Luka Doncic now alongside him, are still hoping James can deliver one more championship run.
Anthony’s comments reflect both admiration and a little exasperation. He wants to see his friend enjoy retirement the way he has started to, rather than continue grinding through another 82-game season and playoff chase.
Of course, James has made it clear that he’ll step away only when he feels he can no longer perform at an elite level. For now, the numbers prove he remains among the best in the league. But with Anthony now part of the Hall of Fame and openly calling for him to cross that bridge too, the idea of LeBron’s retirement doesn’t feel as distant as it once did.
