Wow. It really happened. Gen Z and Millennials can finally peace it up now. The beef is over. Carmelo Anthony just brought peace to two generations.
According to the Trail Blazers’ vet and future Hall of Famer, LaMelo Ball is free to be called “Melo” now and use Carmelo Anthony’s old 3-point celebration.
He said so himself after the Trail Blazers’ 123-111 win over the Hornets where the two Melos combined for 59 points going head to head against one another.
Anthony said it was an “honor” for Ball to carry on his nickname and use his 3-point celebration. He also said he’d be in the league for a long time.
"It's an honor for him to have that name, for him to embrace it, to do the celebration … It's a respect thing for me, so I embrace him"
💬 @carmeloanthony on LaMelo Ball pic.twitter.com/1Ke8CEDAVb
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 2, 2021
“I think LaMelo is somebody who going to be in this game for a long time. So, the name Melo, you guys might as well continue getting used to that…I don’t get into that, though. For me, it’s a respect thing. It’s an honor for him to have that name, for him to embrace it. For him to do the celebration. It’s an honor, it’s a blessing, it’s a respect thing for me. So I embrace him.”Â
Clearly, Anthony is a fan. They even swapped jerseys after the game. It was an incredible moment.
Carmelo Anthony and LaMelo Ball swap jerseys after the game. ✊
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 2, 2021
That’s a really cool moment between an NBA legend and a rookie who wants to get to that same level.
It’s incredibly refreshing to see this moment between the two Melos. There are a lot of NBA veterans who would be apprehensive about the nickname and the celebration, but Anthony is clearly embracing it all and rolling out the red carpet for Ball.
The NBA is a much better place when there are vets like Anthony making room for the next generation.
https://youtu.be/P96ldawYr5s