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[Saba Sports News] Carmelo Anthony recently shared why he chose not to join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in forming the Miami Heat’s “Big Three” during a discussion on Paul George’s “Podcast P.”
“Before the Miami Big Three, there was talk about me and Bron because I was close to both him and D-Wade. We had shared experiences, like playing on the world championship team, and that’s when our bond really began to blossom. We just never knew where we could make it happen—New York, Chicago, Denver? The conversation got serious after ’06, ’07, ’08.”
“It was supposed to be Bosh and Wade, and then me and Bron going somewhere. We wanted it to be New York or Chicago. But I was in Denver, and Bron was in Cleveland. When free agency hit, we tried to make it work. At the time of the collective bargaining agreement, I didn’t understand contracts well. I was in Denver and didn’t want to leave.”
“So, why take a three-year deal? I was locked into a five-year deal. I wasn’t leaving any money on the table. I was happy, winning, and building something in Denver. I didn’t want to leave that and risk regretting it later. I was building my own legacy in Denver.”
“When the lockout came, they suggested a three-year deal. I called my agent and said, ‘No conversation, I’m staying. I’m taking a five-year, $85 million deal.’ I was happy. They all had to sacrifice to make it work, which I respect. People thought, ‘Melo, you could have been the fourth one.’ But imagine me at 23 or 24 years old being the fourth option on a team. I didn’t know if I would be mentally ready for that. It wasn’t about the money; I would have had a different role.”
“These are alphas coming together—Bron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh. I was like, ‘Hell no, I can’t be the fourth option. I was cool in Denver.’ People always saw it as a ‘what if’ for Miami, but they don’t see it from my perspective. They think Melo was selfish for taking the five-year deal and could have had three rings. But a lot of times, that stuff isn’t worth it. They made it worth it because they figured it out and won consistently. They created something special down there. Who knows if it would have been the same if I had gone down there?”
Anthony explained that discussions about different pairings, including him teaming up with LeBron, never settled on a suitable location. His commitment to building his legacy in Denver and financial stability led him to sign a five-year deal with the Nuggets. He also highlighted the financial sacrifices LeBron, Wade, and Bosh made to create the “Big Three,” a move he wasn’t prepared to make. Anthony was apprehensive about becoming the fourth option on a team when he was used to being the leading scorer in Denver.
In retrospect, while joining forces with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh was intriguing, Anthony believes staying in Denver was the right decision for his career and personal growth. His story underscores the complexities and personal considerations behind major career decisions in professional sports.