Since Julius Erving won the first NBA Player of the Week award back in 1979, many basketball greats have collected a huge number of weekly accolades from the league. But really, it’s not that close at No. 1. In his 22 seasons as a pro, LeBron James …
Since Julius Erving won the first NBA Player of the Week award back in 1979, many basketball greats have collected a huge number of weekly accolades from the league. But really, it’s not that close at No. 1.
In his 22 seasons as a pro, LeBron James has won the award an NBA record 69 times – which is more than No. 2 and No. 3 in the list combined. The league started naming one Player of the Week for each conference in 2001-02, which helps LeBron here. Then again, his numbers are staggering.
While he played the entirety of his NBA career for the Los Angeles Lakers, apparently Kobe Bryant often dreamed about the New York Knicks.
During a recent podcast appearance by Adrian Wojnarowski, the former ESPN senior insider spoke about the hypothetical. According to Woj, the late Bryant was “convinced” that he would eventually sign with the Knicks and play in Madison Square Garden.
Speaking on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast with longtime NBA star Carmelo Anthony, the legendary reporter said Bryant thought the Lakers would use the amnesty clause on him (likely around 2013). He apparently believed no team would claim him on waivers and he would sign a deal with the Knicks.
Woj added that Bryant would “fantasize” about Madison Square Garden.
Anthony revealed “that’s all he talked about” while discussing this unique scenario. According to Woj, meanwhile, the late Bryant “loved” Anthony and had many storied about guarding him on the court.
It is hard to imagine Bryant wearing anything but Purple and Golden, but it nearly happened and it would have assuredly changed basketball history (especially in Los Angeles and New York) forever.
Kiyan Anthony will be follow in his father’s footsteps and head to Syracuse, where Carmelo won a national title in 2003.
Eventual 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony played just one season of college basketball, but it was a memorable one as he led Syracuse to its only national title under longtime coach Jim Boeheim in 2003.
Now, the Orange will hope it can have the same kind of success with another Anthony in town as his son, Kiyan Anthony, announced his commitment to Syracuse. Anthony plays for Long Island Lutheran in Glen Head, New York, ranking as the No. 32 player nationally and No. 1 player in the state of New York.
He also had offers from programs like Arizona State and Florida State, but instead, he’ll follow in his father’s footsteps and join an Orange program that enters the second year under Adrian Autrey, a former Boeheim assistant who was elevated to replace him ahead of last season.
“I’m proud of you. It’s your time — go get it,” the elder Anthony said in a video posted on social media after his son’s commitment.
Syracuse has missed three consecutive NCAA tournaments and will hope that streak ends this season. But if it doesn’t, the Orange can rest easy knowing it has a recruiting class that currently ranks fifth nationally and now includes a big-time legacy player coming to town.
Donovan Mitchell says Lamar Jackson was so exciting as a QB he had the Louisville basketball team getting up at 6am to tailgate and watch
Lamar Jackson has always been talented and polarizing. The Ravens MVP quarterback was so dynamic at the University of Louisville that even the basketball team was huge fans.
Donovan Mitchell is an All-Star for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, he was a classmate and good friend of Baltimore’s star signal-caller.
During a recent appearance on ‘7PM in Brooklyn’ with Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero, Mitchell told a hilarious story about Jackson being so famous that he had the men’s basketball team get up early on Saturday mornings to tailgate.
“He had the basketball team getting up at 6am to tailgate.”
The University of Louisville retired Lamar Jackson’s number 8 jersey on November 13, 2021, during halftime of the Cardinals’ game against Syracuse. The ceremony, which took place at Cardinal Stadium, celebrated Jackson’s accomplishments as a player for the Cardinals and his impact on the community.
During his three seasons with the Cardinals, Jackson had 9,043 passing yards with 69 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He also had 4,132 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground, and a Heisman Trophy.
The Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny was so questionable that even Kiyan’s attempt to praise it sounded like a back-handed compliment.
Lakers rookie Bronny James and high school star Kiyan Anthony are two of the most well-known sons of NBA players.
Their fathers, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, were both selected in the 2003 NBA Draft. The hoops legends won Olympic gold medals for the United States in 2008 and 2012 and were teammates in Los Angeles before Carmelo retired from professional basketball.
More than two decades after their fathers played against each other in high school, Bronny and Kiyan faced off for their respective programs in 2022. Kiyan is currently a four-star recruit in the Class of 2025 and the No. 1 rated player in New York, per 247 Sports.
During a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the high school standout was asked about Bronny getting drafted:
“It’s definitely really cool. It just shows that anybody could do it, you know? I’m coming up next and I could do it. Definitely happy for him and definitely congratulated him.”
It is unclear exactly what Kiyan meant with this quote, especially considering Bronny had tremendous resources at his disposal on his path to the pros.
He attended the prestigious Sierra Canyon School in Southern California before playing college basketball at USC. Of course, it helps that his father is a 20-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA Finals MVP.
Bronny was also drafted despite not having a tremendously successful season in the NCAA. The guard averaged less than 5.0 points per game in college. So with all of that in mind, the selection isn’t exactly the most awe-inspiring rags to riches story.
All things considered, it is unlikely that Kiyan meant any disrespect with his comments about Bronny. He has previously said that it was “fire” to see that Bronny was drafted. Kiyan added that he texted him and they chatted on the phone and that he hopes to play against him in the NBA.
Kiyan has also said that he and his dad would lose to Bronny and LeBron if they had to play against each other now, so there is some sense of admiration for their games.
But the Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny was so questionable that even Kiyan’s attempt to praise it sounded like a back-handed compliment.
LeBron James continues to add to his overall basketball resume and legacy.
Team USA men’s basketball is inching toward a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. It easily defeated South Sudan on Wednesday after barely defeating it in an exhibition game earlier this month, and the concerns about Team USA are slowly dissolving.
LeBron James had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in Wednesday’s contest, and he is continuing to prove that even at age 39, he is still a legitimately elite basketball player.
In Wednesday’s contest, James, who already owns two Olympic gold medals, as well as a bronze medal, reached a career scoring milestone. He joined Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony as the only players in Team USA men’s basketball history to attain 300 points in the Olympics.
BRON JOINS ELITE COMPANY
LeBron James is the 3rd player in Team USA men's basketball history to score 300+ points in the Olympics, joining Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. pic.twitter.com/L5YYMJkLNW
Durant, of course, is one of James’ teammates on this iteration of Team USA.
Both have a long way to go before they can match or exceed the all-time record for most points scored in Olympic men’s basketball competition by any player. That mark is held by Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt, who totaled 1,093 points throughout the 1980s and 1990s in five Olympic games.
It is a virtual certainty that this will be James’ last go-around in the Olympics as a player.
Carmelo Anthony details divorce with Thunder after lone season in OKC.
The Oklahoma City Thunder caught headlines in the 2018 offseason when they added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. After Kevin Durant’s departure, they suddenly were seen as title favorites led by Russell Westbrook.
But alas, the trio only lasted one season. The Thunder underperformed and were a first-round exit via the Utah Jazz. After the season, OKC wanted to shake up its roster as it tried to pursue George to sign an extension.
The biggest change involved Anthony, who struggled in his new and smaller role with the Thunder. He was shipped to the Atlanta Hawks for Dennis Schroder, where he was bought out.
In a recent podcast appearance, Anthony revealed how his divorce from the Thunder went. The future Hall-of-Famer noted he was willing to come off the bench in his second year but wasn’t given the opportunity.
“I was working with Sam (Presti), we was about to figure a deal out,” Anthony said. “… Billy Donovan called me in Paris and he was like, ‘We want to start developing Jerami Grant into the lineup, he is younger.’
“I was like, ‘Okay cool, just tell me you want me to accept that role, I am willing to work with you.’ He was like, ‘Nah, we don’t think it is going to work here anymore.'”
George — who was on the podcast — was also surprised by the move. He thought Anthony would’ve attended his free agency party for his new deal with OKC. Instead, he quickly learned the Thunder were ready to move on.
Years later, the Thunder made the right call. Grant developed into a quality starter for the Thunder and Schroder enjoyed a pair of strong seasons off the bench for OKC.
Meanwhile, Anthony struggled to stay in one spot. He spent the rest of his career as an NBA journeyman who came off the bench for playoff contenders.
Carmelo Anthony reflects on Thunder tenure, proclaims he had no role in OKC.
Days before the start of the 2017-18 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder rocked the NBA world when they acquired Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks.
The surprising addition capped off an eventful offseason for the Thunder, who also traded for Paul George. OKC sought to build up a contender after Kevin Durant’s departure.
Alas, the trio of Russell Westbrook, George and Anthony sounded better on paper than in actuality. The Thunder struggled with consistency that season. They eventually lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2018 NBA playoffs.
The Thunder broke up the trio when Anthony was shipped to the Atlanta Hawks for Dennis Schroder. George signed an extension but proved to only stay in OKC for one more season.
In a podcast appearance with George, Anthony offered insights during his one-season stay with the Thunder. The future Hall-of-Famer noted he entered OKC without a defined role.
“I didn’t have no role in OKC, no role it was, ‘Melo you gon figure it out’ and I was like, ‘Nah I can’t figure (expletive) out,'” Anthony said. “What you want me to do? I’m taking darts and I’m the 4th (expletive) on the team. I still know what I can do, let’s keep this (expletive) going.”
Anthony later detailed that he was willing to come off the bench for his second season with the Thunder. This came after a year of controversy surrounding the topic.
Upon his arrival, he immediately dismissed the notion of the possibility. After a quick playoff exit, it appeared Anthony had a change of heart.
“I was ready to come off the bench the next season. We lost in the playoffs and they looked at us crazy,” Anthony said. “We get three years together who knows what happens.”
George added his thoughts. The multi-time All-Star also agreed that the Thunder pulled the plug too soon on that iteration of the squad.
“I thought the whole process was rushed, I was expecting that we were building something here,” George said. “We got a trio, we saw what it look like, now we got a full training camp next year. I just thought it was rushed and too soon. We were only one year in.”
It’s a shame the trio didn’t work out for the Thunder. They had one season together and they were underwhelmed. Considering the roster’s expensive price tag, OKC had to make a tough choice to move on from Anthony.
Years later, it’s always interesting to hear from the players’ side of stories — especially one like this where a megastar in Anthony described how he handled his decline.
Syracuse is the favorite, but USC is still in the hunt.
Four-star Class of 2025 shooting guard Kiyan Anthony from Long Island Lutheran High School in New York has revealed his top six schools: Auburn, Florida State, Ohio State, Rutgers, Syracuse, and USC basketball.
The 6-foot-5 guard has had a strong spring and summer playing for Team Melo on the EYBL Circuit. Kiyan Anthony is currently averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
“Scoring is the thing with Kiyan Anthony. He is wired to score the ball. And, year over year, his game has continued on an upward trend. Standing 6-4/6-5, he has a good frame with nice length. Good positional size. Offensively, Anthony has good touch with a solid base in his jump shot. He is comfortable off the bounce or the catch. He is starting to show comfort as a go-to type scorer. Anthony plays confidently. He will need to continue developing the handle. This will also help his efficiency and help in learning (and getting to) his spots on the floor. Taking a less is more offensive approach will help his overall threat as a scorer. He has solid defensive anticipation off the ball.
“Anthony will need to continue adding strength. The range is deep and he has an array of off-balance or step-back type moves to get a clean look. Anthony is already producing big numbers and he still has some ceiling to continue growing into as a player.”
Kiyan has mentioned that he plans to make a decision on his college choice before the start of basketball season.
Can USC really land another son of a famous NBA star?
Four-star Class of 2025 shooting guard Kiyan Anthony is from Long Island Lutheran High School. The son of NBA great Carmelo Anthony says he now plans to visit USC this summer.
Kiyan Anthony has already taken two official visits — Syracuse (his father’s alma mater) and Florida State.
He also holds offers from Providence, Seton Hall, Tennessee, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Maryland, Michigan, Saint John’s, UConn, UCF, West Virginia, and Arizona State.
The 6-foot-5 guard has had a strong spring and summer playing for Team Melo on the EYBL Circuit. Kiyan Anthony is currently averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony is his father. Carmelo is in the top 10 of the league’s all-time scoring list and is one of the more decorated players in the history of USA Basketball. It will be fascinating to see if, after USC landed the son of LeBron James, the Trojans are able to bring aboard another son of a famous NBA player as a recruit. Obviously, Eric Musselman is very different from Andy Enfield, so it’s hard to put any stock in the past as a measurement of how this new recruitment might unfold.
Kiyan Anthony, On3's No. 27 overall player in the 2025 class, tells @On3Recruits he's also planning to visit USC.
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