Carmelo Anthony recently shared why he chose not to join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in forming the Miami Heat’s iconic “Big Three” during a candid discussion on Paul George’s “Podcast P.”
“Before the Miami Big Three, there was talk about me and Bron because out of me, him, and D-Wade, I was close to both of them. Bron and D-Wade were close too, but the three of us were never locked in together until we started getting older.”
“We had shared experiences, like playing on the world championship team, and that’s when our bond really began to blossom. I think it was because we lost together and felt the same pain and sentiment, which brought us closer.”
“With Bron, it was always like, ‘Yo, we gotta make it happen. Some way, somehow, if the opportunity comes up, let’s make it happen.’ We just never knew where. ‘Are you going to New York? I’m not going to Cleveland. You coming to Denver?’ The conversation got serious after ’06, ’07, ’08.”
“It was supposed to be Bosh and Wade and then me and Bron going somewhere. We just couldn’t figure out where. We wanted it to be New York. Chicago was also in the fold. If we could find a place, let it be Chicago. But I was in Denver, and Bron was in Cleveland. When free agency hit, we tried to make it work.”
“At the time of the collective bargaining agreement, I didn’t understand contracts and the implications of three-year versus five-year deals. During the lockout, I knew a little bit, but I wasn’t business-savvy enough to understand what was about to happen. I was in Denver and didn’t want to leave.”
“So, why take a three-year deal? No, I was locked into a five-year deal. You know where the f**k I come from? I wasn’t leaving any money on the table. I was happy, winning, and building something in Denver. We had new powder blue uniforms; we were popping out there.”
“I didn’t want to leave that and risk regretting it later. I wasn’t ready to team up with anyone because I was building my own legacy in Denver. Leaving that to team up with someone else wouldn’t have worked, as we were all young and on our own paths.”
“So, I was like, ‘Whatever y’all do, y’all do.’ When I got the call about the lockout, they suggested a three-year deal. I called my agent and said, ‘Three years? No conversation, I’m staying. I’m taking a five-year, $85 million deal. I’m staying in Denver.’ I was happy.”
“They tried to figure out how to make that work, and then it was like one of them had to take $16 million, the other $17 million. They all had to sacrifice, which I respect because it’s hard to leave at that point in time. When they did it, everyone thought, ‘Melo, you could have been the fourth one.'”
“But imagine me at 23 or 24 years old being the fourth option on a team when I was leading my team every single year. I was finding my way in the league, and you wanted me to leave that and be a fourth option? I didn’t know if I would be mentally ready for that. It wasn’t about the money; I would have had a different role.”
“These are alphas coming together—Bron is an alpha, D-Wade is an alpha. And Chris Bosh doesn’t get enough credit; he was ridiculous in Toronto. So, for those three to go, I was like, ‘Hell no, I can’t be the fourth option. Hell no.’ I was cool in Denver.”
“People always saw it as a ‘what if’ for Miami, but they don’t see it from my perspective. They think Melo was selfish for taking the five-year deal and could have had three rings. But a lot of times, that stuff isn’t worth it. They won’t tell you that, but I will.”
“They made it worth it because they figured it out, worked it out, and won consistently. They created something special down there. Who knows if it would have been the same if I had gone down there? Look at the Lakers in ’03. They assembled Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton, Karl Malone, and a solid bench. But it didn’t always work like that.”
Melo revealed that he had the opportunity to team up with LeBron, D-Wade, and Bosh, but he wasn't comfortable being the fourth option in his prime 😲
(🎥 @PodcastPShow ) pic.twitter.com/i06SXlwjfZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 22, 2024
Anthony explained that before the Miami Heat trio was finalized, there were discussions about different pairings, including him teaming up with LeBron. However, they could never settle on a location that suited all parties involved.
One of the main reasons Anthony decided against joining the Heat was his commitment to building his legacy in Denver. He had signed a five-year deal with the Nuggets, a decision driven by his desire for stability and the opportunity to lead his own team.
Anthony also highlighted the financial sacrifices LeBron, Wade, and Bosh made to make the “Big Three” a reality. They took lower salaries to play together, a move Anthony wasn’t prepared to make. Additionally, Anthony was apprehensive about becoming the fourth option on a team when he was used to being the leading scorer and focal point in Denver.
In retrospect, while the thought of joining forces with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh was intriguing, Anthony believes it was the right decision for his career and personal growth to stay in Denver. His story underscores the complexities and personal considerations behind major career decisions in professional sports.
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