A video of Warriors color commentator Kelenna Azubuike criticizing Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball for using the same 3-point celebration as NBA legend Carmelo Anthony sparked debate on the internet that spanned multiple days. Paired along with the use of the celebration has been the (mostly friendly) banter of who the real Melo is with both Carmelo and LaMelo sporting the nickname.
It was all particularly timely as the Hornets and Ball faced Anthony and the Blazers on Monday. The original Melo quickly extinguished any potential debates by greeting Ball pre-game and seeking him out post-game to exchange jerseys on the court.
“I think LaMelo is somebody who’s going to be in this game for a long time so the name Melo, you guys might as well continue using that,” Anthony said after the game. “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. I embrace him.”
“It was nice,” Ball added on the interactions with Anthony. “I mean, (it was) pretty much just all love, showing respect both ways.”
Rookie and the vet 👌
(via @trailblazers, @bruceely) pic.twitter.com/OMznycNCB5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 2, 2021
Both Melos showed out on Monday. Anthony scored a season-high 29 points to lead the Blazers to both a franchise record in 3-pointers and a blowout victory. Ball, though, had his own big night, finishing with 30 points, eight assists, six rebounds, four steals, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to achieve such a stat line.