LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have a combined 2,501 games of NBA experience.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James have dreamed about teaming up in the NBA since they entered the league together 18 years ago.
They’re finally getting the chance on the remarkably mature new roster of the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony broke the news of his move to L.A. on social media, where his nickname, “Melo,” included the Lakers logo.
The two have been friends since high school, were a part of the star-studded 2003 draft class and have piled up all manner of accolades and accomplishments in their years in the NBA. Below is a look back at some photos from their time in the NBA, the Olympics and more.
The Early Years
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony chat while waiting to check into the game during Magic Johnson’s18th annual “A Midsummer Night’s Magic” charity game on July 27, 2003.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James laugh during an interview for ESPN at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden on June 25, 2003.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James talk during the 2003 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden on June 26, 2003 in New York.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony pose for portraits during the 2004 All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony talk during their first game against each other on Nov. 5, 2003 in Cleveland.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony look on during their first showdown in Denver on Dec. 2, 2003.
Then-rookies Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James chat during Rookie Challenge practice in L.A. on Feb. 13, 2004.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James pose for Team USA portraits during a photo shoot on July 26, 2004.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony cheer on their teammates during the 2005 Rookie Challenge in Denver.
Carmelo Anthony looks at LeBron James during the 2005 Rookie Challenge game on Feb. 18, 2005 in Denver.
Pregame & off the court
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James arrive for the Rookie Challenge on Feb. 13, 2004.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony pose for a photo with Usher during a 2004 Read to Achieve event in Los Angeles.
Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade participate in the LeBron James Bikeathon on June 25, 2005 in Akron, Ohio.
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony play cards after a USA Basketball practice in China on July 30, 2008.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are honored alongside NBA greats Jerry West and Oscar Robertson for being co-captains of the gold medal winning teams in the 2008 and 1960 Olympics in this photo from 2010.
Carmelo Anthony (left), Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and LeBron James pose for a photo after Wade’s final NBA game on April 10, 2019.
Squaring off in their careers
Carmelo Anthony shoots over LeBron James in a Feb. 18, 2010 matchup in Cleveland. Anthony finished with 40 points vs. James — the most he scored in a game against a LeBron-led team.
LeBron James maneuvers up court against Carmelo Anthony on in a Feb. 18, 2010 matchup in Cleveland. James finished with 43 points vs. Anthony — the most he scored in a game against a Carmelo-led team.
The Heat and Knicks squared off in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, which marked the first playoff matchup between LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. James’ Heat won the series 4-1.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony jockey for position in the post during a Cavs-Knicks game from Dec. 4, 2014.
Carmelo Anthony looks to make a move to the basket as LeBron James defends during a Thunder-Cavs game from Feb. 13, 2018.
In the 2020 playoffs, James and Anthony squared off. However, James’ Lakers once again took care of Anthony’s team in the playoffs, defeating the Blazers 4-1 in the first-round series.
NBA All-Star
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony walk past each other during the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James share a laugh during All-Star practice in Houston for the 2013 All-Star Game.
LeBron James guards Carmelo Anthony during a possession in the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony high five each other during the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony share a laugh as they take part in practice for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto.
USA Basketball
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony take a breather during Team USA training camp in 2006 in Las Vegas.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony look on during a preliminary round game in the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony share a laugh on the bench during the first round of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony celebrate after Team USA defeated Spain to clinch the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.
Carmelo Anthony and LeBorn James bask in the moment as Team USA wraps up a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics by defeating Spain.
