Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Carmelo Anthony Reveals What LeBron James Said When He Called Him About Joining The Lakers: “I Need You… The Time Is Now”.
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Carmelo Anthony Reveals What LeBron James Said When He Called Him About Joining The Lakers: “I Need You… The Time Is Now”.

Carmelo Anthony Reveals What LeBron James Said When He Called Him About Joining The Lakers: “I Need You… The Time Is Now”.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy
Sep 20, 2021
4 Min Read
Share

Source: NBC Sports

After joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Carmelo Anthony now has the best chance of his career to win an NBA championship. While Melo is considered one of the best players of his generation, his lack of accolades in the NBA is something that is held against him when we talk about his legacy.

Anthony entered the league in 2003, part of a historic NBA Draft class with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Within a few seasons, Anthony established himself as a superstar and was the centerpiece of a strong Denver Nuggets team. 

In 2009, the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals, but Melo and the team could not overcome Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 2011, Anthony made his way to New York to play for the Knicks. Melo brought excitement back to the Knicks, playing some of the best basketball of his career with the orange and blue. But the Knicks’ front office failed to surround him with a strong supporting cast that could help him succeed.

In 2017, the Knicks traded Anthony to OKC, a move that paired him up with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Anthony didn’t do much with OKC, and they traded him to Houston at the end of the year.

Melo only played a few games in Houston before being traded to the Bulls, who eventually waived him. It seemed as though his time in the league was over. 

But a successful stint off the bench next season with the Trail Blazers reinvigorated his career. Playing in this new role, Anthony provided solid scoring and veteran experience to the Blazers squad.

After 2 strong seasons in Portland, Melo finally decided to join up with close friend LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers. But how did LeBron reach out to Melo to get him to come?

According to Anthony (2nd slide), the call between the two of them was more about catching up, a real call between friends. And while they had discussed teaming up together in the past, he didn’t expect LeBron to call him to join the Lakers. Melo just felt that this was the right time for the two to team up and that the stars had aligned.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUBs744lPZm

“It was a real call, it wasn’t like no bullsh*t. I wasn’t expecting it from him. I mean, we had talked about it, years before, about getting with each other. I heard it, and that’s my brother, I’ve known him since we was 15. (He said) ’Yo, I need you’. Say less! I already knew what time it is when you hit me. You the GM… It was like ‘Yo, champ. Time is now’. And I felt it, the time is now, just a different vibe, different aura, different energy around.”

Melo isn’t the only veteran in the squad. In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers have one of the oldest squads in NBA history. But Anthony has said that their experience and age works to their advantage compared to other NBA teams.

Anthony will be hoping to win his first NBA championship with the Lakers next season. With LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis leading the line, the Lakers are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship next season.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Carmelo AnthonyLeBron James
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaditya Krishnamurthy
Follow:
Aaditya Krishnamurthy is a writer for Fadeaway World covering the latest news and exciting stories from the fascinating world of the NBA. After briefly working as a freelance writer in the sports and business sector, Aaditya began writing for Fadeaway World in 2021 about the day-to-day functioning of the NBA.After graduating from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in 2020, he worked as a freelance writer for years before beginning his MA in Communications at Penn State University. Currently, he is in the United States, and traveling to his home country of India. Aside from the NBA, Aaditya is a big sports fan, with soccer, football, Formula 1, and MMA being some of his favorites to watch.
Previous Article Kendrick Perkins Thinks Philadelphia 76ers Should Make Move For John Wall: “I Think John Wall In Philly With Joel Embiid Is Better Than Ben Simmons In Philly With Joel Embiid”
Next Article NBA Fan Proves Skip Bayless Posts Twice As Much About LeBron James Than Savannah And Bronny Combined
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Steve Kerr Took A Page From Phil Jackson’s Book To Avoid Contract Distractions During Warriors’ Season

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Seth Curry Admits He Didn’t Want To Team Up With Stephen Curry Until Now

October 3, 2025
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic (15) takes questions during media day at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Nikola Jokic Remains Loyal To The Nuggets Despite Not Signing An Extension This Summer

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?