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Carmelo Anthony Facing Backlash From LeBron James Fans After Personal News

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Los Angeles Lakers

Aug 7, 2025 4:53 PM EDT

After a fantastic 19-year NBA career, Carmelo Anthony is set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September. The 10-time All-Star is part of a class that also features Dwight Howard, as well as WNBA legends Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, and Maya Moore.

At his peak, Anthony was one of the most prolific scorers the NBA had ever seen, and he was regularly an MVP candidate. Additionally, the Syracuse alum was an NCAA Champion and a three-time Olympic Gold medalist.

Recently, it was revealed that Anthony has chosen Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson to be his presenters for his Hall of Fame induction.

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However, many fans noticed that LeBron James, Anthony’s friend, 2003 Draft classmate, and former teammate, was not named as one of his presenters.

“Why didn’t he choose Lebron?” one fan wrote on X.

“Not his pal, LeBron? The King has got to feel some type of way about this,” another fan wrote.

“He’s so envious of LeBron it’s insane..,” a third fan wrote.

“No Bron?” a fourth fan wrote on X.

“He’s still salty LeBron won ROTY smh let it go already,” a fifth fan wrote.

It is unclear whether an active player is allowed to present an inductee at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Regardless, many have not taken too kindly to James’ notable omission.

LeBron James Congratulated Carmelo Anthony After Hall of Fame News

Once Anthony was officially announced as a member of this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame class, James took to social media to congratulate his former teammate.

“🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 CONGRATULATIONS MY BROTHER! PEACE GOD @carmeloanthony 🤝🏾🫡, James wrote on X.

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The two were briefly teammates as members of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season. However, they are better known as on-court rivals.

The two legends went through numerous exciting battles against one another during different parts of their careers. Both key players in the 2003 NBA Draft class, they were neck-and-neck during their rookie seasons. While James took home the award, many felt that Anthony was more deserving of it.

Past their rookie season, the two remained rivals on the court. This was especially true during their time with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, respectively, where they met up in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. James and the Heat secured the series victory in five games.

Next month, Anthony will officially be a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Regardless of the fact that the Lakers star will not present him, it seems clear that there is mutual respect between the two of them.

About the Author

Elie Deglaoui