The 2003 NBA Draft class was loaded with talented prospects, which included the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
Evidently, the Rookie of the Year race was expected to be close. After the 2003-04 NBA season was over, LeBron James edged Carmelo Anthony to win the honor. But many, including Melo, believe he should have been named the Co-Rookie of the Year alongside James. In a recent episode of the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast, Dwyane Wade agreed with Melo’s argument.
“He said at least ‘Co,'” Wade revealed. “It’s an argument. He had an argument then, and he has an argument now. Take nothing away from LeBron but look at what Melo did over there in the Western Conference, okay? Co-Rookie of the Year. Y’all showed us that ya’ll can do it, right? Co-Rookie of the Year, if we go by the numbers and how everything is.”
Wade added: “Like LeBron had more assists, but when you look at it, he’s doing this on a ready-made playoff team which is harder. LeBron’s doing on an 18-year-old kid that’s coming to save a franchise. They both deserved it. Melo ain’t lying.”
Wade believes how Carmelo Anthony was perceived by the NBA back then played a role in the decision.
“Melo ain’t trying to take nothing away from ‘Bron. Melo was like, ‘Bro, but I know I put the same level of [effort],’ but y’all didn’t want to give it to him. He was in Denver, he was wearing durags, and they were messing with Melo at that time. But if you look at it, at that time, there’s been a few times, All-Star games where certain times like oh, two people should, they deserve it, and it’s okay to be ‘Co’ sometimes.”
(Starts at 54:40)
In NBA history, there have only been four instances when two players have won the Co-Rookie of the Year award. During the 1951-52 season, Bill Tosheff and Mei Hutchins become the first duo to win the award together. In the 1970-71 season, Dave Cowens and Geoff Petrie split the award.
More recently, Grant Hill and Jason Kidd shared the honor after the 1994-95 season, while Steve Francis and Elton Brand became the last duo to share the award following the 1999-00 season.
Carmelo Anthony may be content with not winning an NBA Championship in his career, but he certainly believes he deserved to be the Co-Rookie of the Year in 2004.
LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony In Their Rookie Year
LeBron James is undoubtedly the best player from the class of 2004. James has made it clear over the course of his career in the league. However, during LeBron’s rookie year (2003-04), he was matched in almost every category by Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony.
James finished the season with 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 0.7 BPG. On the other hand, Anthony had 21.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.5 BPG. Apart from assists per game, the two stars finished with identical stats.
Moreover, Melo helped the Denver Nuggets finish the season with a 43-39, which was enough to be the eighth seed in the Western Conference, thus clinching a playoff spot.
LeBron and the Cavs finished with a 35-47 record and missed the playoffs as they were the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The two future superstars also finished with the same number of Rookie of the Month awards. Each was named Rookie of the Month six times during the season.
Despite that, LeBron James finished in first place in the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year voting with 508 points to his name. Melo was second with 430 points, including 40 first-place points, as compared to James’ 78.
At the end of the day, Melo retired from the league without winning Rookie of the Year honors. But in the eyes of most fans, he deserved the award.
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