Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will face off against old friend and Portland Trail Blazers star Carmelo Anthony on Friday night.
After over a year of not playing in an NBA game, Anthony has impressed fans and critics alike in his return to the NBA. Much of that success can be credited to Anthony’s determination to continue his basketball career.
As it turns out, it’s Anthony’s determination and resilience that James respects most about his old friend.
James explained as much when he spoke with Bill Oram and Jason Quick of The Athletic.
“His resiliency,” James said of what he respects about Anthony most. “Just resilient. He don’t let nothing stop him, he don’t care what nobody say, he do him, then he believes in his journey. And he ain’t gonna let nobody stop him from his journey.”
James continued to say that he respects Anthony’s ability to follow his own path despite countless ideas and opinions swirling around him.
“In a world where everybody’s always trying to tell what you should do and how you should do it and the only way you can be successful is how they tell you to do it, I love how resilient he is,” James said.
Since Anthony’s return to the NBA, he is averaging 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He is currently shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from deep. While many assumed that the 10-time All-Star would simply be unable to contribute in today’s NBA, he has since proven his critics very wrong.
James will certainly go into Friday’s game looking to help the Lakers get their 20th win of the season. However, James is sure to consider facing off against his old friend and rival a personal victory no matter the outcome of the game.
