10x All-Star Carmelo Anthony has a resume he can be proud of. A 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA player, and former Scoring Champ, Melo is renowned for his scoring ability, which ranks among the best of all time.
Unfortunately, Anthony still lacks the experience of winning an NBA Championship, which stands as the biggest blemish of his otherwise surreal basketball career.
As he enters year number 19, this time with the Purple and Gold, he understands what’s at stake.
Speaking candidly, the 10x All-Star confirmed this campaign is a Championship-or-bust for him.
“If I was just to walk away from the game before, then I would have been at peace with [not getting a ring],” Anthony said. “… But now that perspective is totally different. Now I HAVE to win.
“It gotta be [Championship or bust]. I mean it has to be. There’s no playing around with that.”
Carmelo Anthony believes this season is championship or bust for him with the Lakers:
"If I was just to walk away from the game before, then I would have been at peace with [not getting a ring]. … But now that perspective is totally different. Now I HAVE to win." pic.twitter.com/h5HReVDfks
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 14, 2021
Anthony was part of a ridiculously successful summer for L.A., in which they acquired Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Kent Bazemore, and others in just a matter of weeks.
The pressure is no doubt on for them to perform, but there is some real and genuine excitement from all sides, and Anthony seems as ready as ever to finally put a ring on his finger.
“What’s up, Laker fans? You already know who it is. I’m back in the building,” Melo said. “Big shoutout to all the fans, all the Laker fans, Laker Nation, and all the Melo fans that’s out there. It’s going to be an exciting season but it starts now and it starts today and the work gotta be put in behind the scenes.”
The Lakers are favored to win the 2021 title and for obvious reasons. They have the talent and experience to beat anyone in the league.
The hope for Carmelo, and the rest of the squad, is that they can come together and live up to expectations.
The only thing we know for sure is that it won’t be easy.
