Lakers Players Congratulate Carmelo Anthony On Retirement

The 10-time All-Star, most recently a Laker, is calling it a career.

Former Los Angeles Lakers reserve power forward Carmelo Anthony officially announced his retirement on what wound up being the last day of LA's 2022-23 NBA season last week.

Those two events quite possibly inspired LA All-Star small forward LeBron James to ponder his own retirement as soon as this summer, despite having $97.1 million remaining on his current contract.

Anthony, a 10-time All-Star while with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, was a part of James' storied 2003 draft class (James was picked first overall straight out of high school, Anthony was selected third out of Syracuse), which included two other Hall of Famers in Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, plus a litany of other All-Stars. He wrapped up his career with Los Angeles in 2021-22.

James and his LA colleagues Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura took to the team's official Instagram to send off 'Melo in style with their own well wishes.

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"I just want to say congratulations my brother," James started off. "I mean where do I start? Is it us all the way back in high school [Anthony was a grade above James] sitting outside that hotel man, to all the battles that we had together [in the NBA]. I could sit here and talk for hours and hours and hours. I'm just so proud of you man. and so blessed and humbled to be a part of your journey. You’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever see play."

"Melo man, you really impacted this game more than you know," Davis raved. "You helped me all the way back in 2012 when we first got on the Olympic team together. Been able to play alongside you and watch you from afar... I really appreciate everything you've done for me in my career, I know the league appreciates, the game of basketball appreciates everything you've done for the game."

Rui Hachimura, the current Laker whose play most resembles Anthony's as a big forward who can score from anywhere, revealed that that was no coincidence:

"Hey Melo, you [were] my favorite player growing up and when I [started] playing basketball, I watched you a lot. I used you on 2K. I tried to copy your moves and everything. Thanks for being an inspiration," Hachimura revealed. "I'm so honored to be here to wish you a happy retirement, and good luck on new adventures."

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