Carmelo Anthony agrees with Dwyane Wade that nobody can pass Michael Jordan: "He brought something different to the game of basketball"
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Only a few players have had such a profound impact on the sport as Michael Jordan. His incredible skill, unmatched work ethic, and undeniable charisma not only made him an NBA legend but also a global icon. One NBA legend who vocally recognizes Jordan’s worldwide influence is Carmelo Anthony.
Dwyane Wade once famously said nobody, even LeBron James, could ever pass Jordan. They could only tie him. For Melo, D-Wade was on point, and the proof is already right in front of us.
Anthony openly acknowledged that “His Airness” was the main reason basketball became a global phenomenon. According to Melo, MJ’s swagger, coveted style of play, massive success, and marketability all played a role in popularizing basketball around the world.
“Yeah [I agree with Wade], I think the way that he has transcended the game. The game was looking for an identity, and he came in with the swag, with the short shorts, the long socks, and the chain—he brought something different to the game of basketball. Globally,” Anthony told Complex in 2016.
“Now the game is already global. We’re just taking advantage of what was already created, from a global standpoint. And we’re enhancing it, but he set that stage. I mean, nobody knew about NBA players like that before ’92. They wasn’t watching NBA games over there. So when they saw that Dream Team in ’92, a new era had started. It was a new vibe, a new aura, a new respect for basketball.”
Melo says international NBA stars owe it to MJ
Anthony also emphasized the correlation of Jordan to the emergence of international NBA stars. Melo believes that they owe a debt of gratitude to MJ for advancing the sport worldwide.
Over the years, it’s safe to say that a handful of NBA stars from all over the world have followed in Jordan’s footsteps, showcasing their talents and inspiring future generations. But as Anthony rightfully pointed out, the international success of today’s NBA stars like his former New York Knicks teammate and Latvian player Kristaps Porzingis is built upon the foundation laid by the timeless legacy of Jordan.
“[Porzingis] He’s a descendant of what was created in ’92. For them to bring awareness globally to the game of basketball, [Michael Jordan] is one of the reasons he’s able to have those skills and play in the NBA today,” the 10-time NBA All-Star stressed.
Melo isn’t a fan of GOAT debate
Like most of his contemporaries, Anthony unsurprisingly believes Jordan is the one and only rightful NBA GOAT. However, he advocates for fans to shift their focus from the everlasting GOAT debate to just celebrating the unparalleled greatness of all NBA stars.
Anthony firmly believes that every great player who graced NBA hardwood brings unique skills, dedication, and passion to the game. Therefore, they deserve proper recognition and admiration regardless of where people think they stand in the GOAT rankings.
“I don’t like it,” Melo once said of the GOAT debate. “And I say that because whenever we do that, we fail to appreciate what we have in front of us,” Anthony told CBS Sports in 2020. “Any time these comparisons are made, whether it’s anybody — old school versus new school — it’s like, why can’t we just appreciate everybody for what they bring to the game?”
“You know, MJ is the GOAT. He’s the greatest ever. We all know that, and we all agree to that,” he explained. “Why can’t we say that, but also give LeBron his flowers while he’s here too? Why can’t we say, ‘MJ was very great, LeBron is very great, Kobe is very great.’ We’re not allowed to say those things today, because it’s always this or that, and that’s just our society — you have to choose one.”
MJ’s case as the most influential athlete of all time
In all fairness to Anthony’s take, Jordan truly elevated the game of basketball to global heights. By doing so, “His Airness” also solidified his GOAT status and his case for being the most influential athlete of all time.
Beyond his on-court achievements, Jordan also revolutionized the business side of basketball. His partnership with Nike led to the creation of the iconic Air Jordan sneaker line, transcending the world of sports and becoming a fashion statement. The popularity of the Air Jordan brand helped catapult basketball’s status as a global sport, sparking interest in fans from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Through his charisma, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit, MJ paved the way for basketball to reach new audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the sport today. Through his efforts and unbelievable impact, basketball has now become more than just one of the most popular sports in the world; it is also an entity that bridges cultures and unites people from different backgrounds.