A while ago, Carmelo Anthony told an amazing tale about the time he was saved from drowning by LeBron James while they were on a family vacation. At the time, the story got a lot of national attention, as the thought of 3x NBA Champion LeBron James diving into the water to rescue one of his best friends was pretty cool.
For the first time since the story was told, we are getting to hear LeBron’s version of events ahead of his matchup with Carmelo and the Trail Blazers.
“I just knew that he was not back in the boat with the rest of us, so I went out looking for him,” the Lakers star said to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “And through the grace of God and through strength and not being afraid of the water, I was able to help him back to the boat. It was the only thing that was on my mind at that point and time, was getting my brother back to the boat.”
This is the statement Melo gave last year in a chat with Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union on IG Live.
“I look up, the current is taking me in the middle of the ocean,” Anthony said of the incident. “Like, opposite from the boat.”
“And it was windy. All type of s— was going on in my head, I’m going to be honest with you.”
“Then I look up at the boat, and I see Bron jumped off the boat like he’s MacGyver,” Anthony said. “He jumped off the boat into the water. He was bringing me back with one arm. He’s swimming with the other arm and he’s carrying me in one arm.
“He saved my life. I can’t hold you. He saved my life, he saved my life.”
Needless to say, Bron may very well have saved Melo’s life that day. And it no doubt made their friendship stronger.
But in the battle that is to come (which starts today), they may have to put their friendship aside. As the Lakers and Blazers prepare for their first-round matchup, the intensity is stirring.
It will be quite a spectacle to witness.
