LeBron James & Carmelo Anthony as future teammates

[Andrew]

If the NBA's marketing machine get their way, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony will be this era's Wilt vs Russell or Bird vs Magic. They won't face each other as many times as Wilt and Russell did, and they probably won't battle back and forth as fiercely as Bird and Magic did either. But they could still form a great (albeit friendly) rivalry if their teams are established as perennial playoff clubs.

But what if their careers took the turn of another great matchup? Walt "Clyde" Frazier and Earl "The Pearl" Monroe battled for four and half seasons before The Pearl was traded to New York and they formed one of the NBA's best backcourts. It was suggested that they wouldn't be able to co-exist, but together with Willis Reed they helped the Knicks win the title in 1973.

If LeBron and Melo ever team up beyond next year's Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, USA teams and perhaps All-Star teams if one of them is traded to the opposite conference, what kind of duo would they make?

I know this is a strange suggestion, especially given they are coming off their rookie seasons, but the history of Monroe and Frazier got me thinking. A little way down the road, say Denver or Cleveland are looking to shake things up and engineer a trade that brings either LeBron or Melo to town - or perhaps they meet up via free agency as Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady were supposed to, after a few years of much-hyped LeBron vs Melo battles.

Do you think such a combination would become another great "former rivals, now a fantastic duo" stories? Or would they simply be great individual talents who keep their teams competitive and excite the fans for a few years?

[Alcoholic]

I think if they combine, Lebron will have 10 APG off Carmelo as he attempts 30 fg per game.

[Fresh8]

The would be a quarter of MJ + Pippen

[Matthew]

Interesting.. I would rather see them as rivals. I think the talent is there for this to be one of the great rivalries in nba history.. while they could be a great duo, i'd rather see them both as the best two in the nba battling each other, just like part of me wouldve loved seeing in mike could have dominated pippen in the finals had he faced him.

[Andrew]

Do you think they could really form a rivalry comparable to the battles Wilt raged against Russell and the annual Bird vs Magic showdowns? I think they have the hype and ability to wage some great basketball wars as marquee attractions, but to give their rivalry meaning their teams must be among the NBA's elite, preferably meeting up in the Finals a few times.

[Matthew]

The talent is there.. I'm not saying its 100% certain, but look at lebron, he is a born leader, only 19, incredible athlete who has a desire to get better and even at his young age makes his teamates better. Cleveland nearly made the playoffs, and carlos boozer should give lebron half of his check, he wouldnt have been nearly as sought after is number 23 was a cav this season... melo on the other hand, he makes teams win. from syracuse, to denver making the playoffs, i mean geeze.. people hate his attitude, but just win baby. and he is still learning the game still.. it might not be for another 5, 6 years, but the possibility is definatley there.

[Andrew]

I guess it depends on the Cavaliers and Nuggets getting better. They'll probably form smaller rivalries within their own conference over the next couple of years, with each LeBron/Melo regular season matchup hyped a la Celtics/Lakers back in the 80s. It's more likely to turn out this way as it's difficult to imagine them ending up on the same team, but drawing the comparison to Monroe and Frazier, it certainly isn't unprecedented.

[Matthew]

I have no doubts the Cavs and Nuggets will get better over time. The nuggets have a good team now, and the top teams in the east, miami and detroit arent getting younger. I think its a good possibility, huge question marks of course, but not out of the question

[Andrew]

Getting back to the idea of them being teammates for a second, which do you think would be more effective? LeBron running the point with Melo at the three, or LeBron playing at the two drawing Jordan/Pippen comparisons? And who would be the top scorer?

It wouldn't quite be like MJ and Pip though. LeBron is probably the better player to play the Pippen-type role, but just as capable as Melo of being the MJ of the tandem. Melo is probably more inclined to take the most shots though. So perhaps the MJ/Pip comparison isn't quite accurate in terms of their roles.

In a high-octane fast break offense, it wouldn't be unfeasible for them each to score around 25 ppg with LeBron racking up more assists as the more all-around player. The success of the team would depend on the role players and the system the same as any other NBA team worthy of contending for the title, but LeBron and Melo could form a great one-two punch on the fast break.

[Clinton]

It's hard to say who would take the leading role in that situation. It wouldn't be much like a Jordan-Pippen duo because I don't see neither James or Anthony stepping back into the sidekick role. LeBron has the ability to be a Magic Johnson type player and run the offence, but he also has the scoring skills like Jordan. The only way I think it would work is if Melo accepted the lesser role and let James become the team leader.

[twolvezfanfoever]

that would be a crunk combo,they both average around 25 a game.they could win the champ. too.lol.

[Alcoholic]

I don't think they'd get along. Maybe Melo will take all the shots, hehe. I see them more as rivals though. Melo making a jumper saying "I WANT MY ROOKIE OF THE YEAR" and then Lebron making a behind the back assist saying "NO ITS MINE HAHAHAHA"

[FanOfAll]

I don't think it'll happen. The Cavs and the Nuggets are both on the way up and unless both leave to sign on another team (like the Hawks), which is unlikely as both have their loyalty to their respective teams. I don't see a trade of any sort making sense occurring looking at their present roster, although in 2 years time, you'll never know.

I also question the success of such a tandem. In many ways, it'll work out. 'Melo is a "proven" winner, LBJ is a leader and great team player. They both play off each other very well. However, successful modern day teams do not have very often have two superstar wing players, Bulls dynasty aside. Which mind you, had the probably the GOAT and the greatest perimeter defender of all time IMO as well as arguably the most well rounded player of all time. Not to mention MJ was also very well rounded and a excellent defender by his own rights. And Pippen an adept scorer as well. IMO, in order for 'Melo and LBJ to win championships together, it requires 'Melo to improve his defense, team play and LBJ to improve his jump shot...and both aren't too far off. But it also requires capable, defensive big men to complement them as well as a coach who can utilize them correctly.....

With modern day parity (or more so and also a want for more parity) and the salary cap, getting the two on a team won't be easy. Winning will be even harder.

[Sauru]

just thought i would add my 2 cents to this topic. the rivalry thing. i dont think these 2 would ever have the type of rivalry that bird and magic or wilt and russel had. imo those are the 2 biggest rivalrys ever and the fact that bird and magic were such good friends off the court only made it all the better imo. also i think to have such a rivaly you need two things above all else.

1. you both need to be not only hall of fame players, but you need to be on top of the league. cant have a dozen players in the nba better than you. just my opinion though(of course these 2 might some day be the best 2 in nba).

2.you absolutly have to meet up in big games. until they reach a finals against each other atleast once to establish a rivalry there will never be one to speak of.

now bird and magic had this settled before they even reached the nba. there rivalry was all set up from the day they met in the ncaa championship. it was only heightened by both of them getting drafted to the 2 teams that formed one of the biggest rivalrys in all of sports(couple are bigger in the other sports, sox/yankees topping the list).

basicly imo the best/biggest rivalry ever was bird and magic followed by wilt and russel. now some might try to say jordan had a rivalry and in some ways he did. his rivalry was not vs a player, it was vs a team, and that was detroit. when he reached his peak jordan had no equal and when you are at that level you cant have a rivalry. a rivalry suggests that the outcome could go either way, i know i for one never doubted the bulls chances to win any of the finals they reached.

[Drex]

I think they could form a great tandem. They have the capabilities to learn the game (defense! ), but for a rivalry, they need help, a lot of help. Even when Magic and Bird were teh rivary back in the day, both had great teams.

[Sauru]

they definetly had great teams but the thing with magic and bird, they made everyone better. if lebron and melo can get to a level where they make thier teammates play at a higher level, then maybe, just maybe, we can call it a all time rivalry(still dont think it would pass bird/magic though).

[Carlos Boozer]

If it happens i will kill yao ming

[Fresh8]

wait! in three years the top five players would be:

5. Melo
4. Garnett
3. Bron
2. Kobe
1. Yao Ming!

[Jowe]

wait! in three years the top five players would be:

5. Melo
4. Garnett
3. Bron
2. Kobe
1. Yao Ming!

wheres duncan? he will still be dominate in 3 years.
I don't Melo will be a top 5 player, Wade will be though.

[Fresh8]

Sorry man.. i wasnt being serious... is this list better?

1. Yao
2. Duncan
3. Kobe
4. Garnett
5. Bron

[magius]

wow, in a couple of years there will be 4 pretty good fairly young forward/guards: lebron, melo, kobe, tmac. I personally think that melo will not improve very much, probably have a 20-25 and 6-7 career ala glenn robinson, I don't think he has what it takes to become a legend or a top 5 player in the nba. Lebron on the other hand does, but we'll just have to wait and see if he fulfills anything.

Yao's still a little too soft for his size, if he can overcome this then yeah he'll be dominant. But thats a big if.

anyway in answer to andrew's question, i dont think so no, only because both magic and larry were special, and I think only bron of the two has the potential to reach that kind of special. I would like to see more of a duncan-garnett rivalry in the coming years as their two respective teams look set to meet each other often in the western finals. Or maybe duncan-yao? garnett-tmac could happen.

[Matthew]

I personally think that melo will not improve very much, probably have a 20-25 and 6-7 career ala glenn robinson, I don't think he has what it takes to become a legend or a top 5 player in the nba. Lebron on the other hand does, but we'll just have to wait and see if he fulfills anything.

I think Melo has intagibles that give him the opportunity to be a great player. He is a winner, from college, to leading denver of all teams to the playoffs when the west was maybe at its all time toughest. I can see melo, if he continues to have this ego and drive, he might become one of the alltime greats.. but to say he's just going to be a glenn robinson is stupid.. he's glenn robinson already. It's basically saying he wont get any better.. and at the age of 20 he's at his peak...

[magius]

I personally think that melo will not improve very much, probably have a 20-25 and 6-7 career ala glenn robinson, I don't think he has what it takes to become a legend or a top 5 player in the nba. Lebron on the other hand does, but we'll just have to wait and see if he fulfills anything.

glenn robinson (6'7, 240 [right now, was probly lighter rookie season]) first year statistics:
21.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 37.0 mpg, .451 fg%, .321 3pt%, 2.5 apg, 1.44 spg, 3.9 topg, 0.832 fth%

glenn robinson was born january '73. he's 31. he's played 10 seasons. He was 20 when he started his rookie season, 21 at the end. robinson was picked 1st overall.

carmelo anthony (6'8, 220) first year statistics:
21.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 36.5 mpg, .426 fg%, .322 3pt%, 2.8 apg, 1.18 spg, 3.01 topg, .777 fth%

anthony was born may '84. He was 19 when he started, 20 at the end of the season. carmelo was picked 3rd overall.

It's basically saying he wont get any better.. and at the age of 20 he's at his peak...

glenn robinson best year statistically (arguably 2 so both here):
00/01: 22.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 37.0mpg, .468fg%, .299 3pt%, 3.3apg, 1.13spg, 2.88topg, .820 fth%

97/98: 23.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 41.0mpg, .47fg%, .3853 pt%, 2.8apg, 1.23spg, 3.57topg, .808 fth%

He is a winner, from college, to leading denver of all teams to the playoffs when the west was maybe at its all time toughest.

college bios via nba.com

glenn robinson

COLLEGE:
Following a standout career at Roosevelt High in Gary, Ind., he played collegiately at Purdue University where he took home numerous National Player of the Year honors as a junior (1993-94)...was named the 1994 National Player of the Year by Associated Press/Rupp, United Press International, the Sporting News, Basketball America, Basketball Times, Basketball Weekly, CBS-TV/Chevrolet, ESPN and ABC analyst Dick Vitale, NABC/Kodak, Naismith and the RCA/U.S. Basketball Writers Association...recipient of the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top college basketball player...led the NCAA and the Big Ten in scoring with averages of 30.3 ppg and 31.8 ppg respectively...also the unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year by coaches and media, in addition to being selected the conference's Male Athlete of the Year...first player to lead the Big Ten in scoring and rebounding in the same season since Minnesota's Mychal Thompson accomplished the feat in 1977-78...his 1,030 overall points that year and 560 conference points were single-season scoring records...the total of 1,030 points ranked 13th best for a single-season in NCAA Division I history...became the 15th Division I player all-time to score 1,000 in a season...finished his career at Purdue with the fourth-highest scoring average ever at 27.5 ppg...led the Boilermakers in scoring in 56 of his 62 contests and recorded 31 career double-doubles (pts/rebs)...his 44 points against Kansas (3/24/94) was a school record for an NCAA Tournament game...after missing his freshman season of competition, Robinson was named the national Newcomer of the Year and a first team All-American by Basketball Times (1992-93)...also one of 16 finalists for the John Wooden Award and one of 10 selected to the Wooden All-America team...consensus NCAA second team All-America by AP, UPI and the USBWA, he became the only first-year player to top the conference in scoring since 1972...named Purdue's Male Athlete of the Year and team MVP (the first sophomore to receive the honor since Eugene Parker in 1976).

carmelo:

COLLEGE:
Named Second-Team All-America by AP as a freshman...Led Syracuse to a 30-5 record and the school's first NCAA Championship in men's basketball...Named Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 Final Four and East Regional...Consensus national Freshman of the Year...Unanimous choice as Big East Conference Freshman of the Year and was an All-Big East First team selection...Avergaed 22.2 ppg(16th in nation) and 10.0 rpg (19th in nation)...In the national championship victory over Kansas scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had seven assists.

but to say he's just going to be a glenn robinson is stupid..

hey, i know they're different players, but it was just my opinion. I guess we'll just wait and see who's "stupid"..

[Matthew]

Thanks, you just proved this earlier statement i made: "but to say he's just going to be a glenn robinson is stupid.. he's glenn robinson already". He will get better, he's only 19.. or 20.. one of the two.. Re read my earlier post and dont take it as a slap in the face, becuase it isnt. It's just pointing out that Carmelo has only given us a peak at his potential.

[magius]

no i didnt. Theres a reason i put glenn robinsons rookie statistics. Let me state it clearly: Glenn Robinson, at 20/21, was generally the same player Carmelo Anthony, at 19/20, is. Thus is it not logical/acceptable to intelligently deduce that in three years time Carmelo Anthony will be the same player Robinson became 3 years following his own rookie campaign? I am not guaranteeing it, no one can tell the future. But, that said can you readily discount the fact that it is at the very least a very likely possibility given the history and the similarities between the players compared?

Back then, one could've said we've just gottten a glimpse of his (glenn robinsons) potential too, much like we are saying about carmelo at the moment. Robinson didn't improve very much now did he. To say Carmelo will improve because he is only a year younger than robinson was is jumping the gun.

From my perspective there is a very low chance that carmelo will achieve legend status or become a top 5 player in the league. There is a chance, but I most certainly wouldn't bet on it, and if my worst enemy betted on it, I'd vehemently try to convince him otherwise. (Unless he was betting against me, in which case, I would fuck him and take his money with big ass fucking glee)