Photo Credit: Bruce Ely / Trail Blazers

Carmelo Anthony Praises Damian Lillard When Reflecting On Blazers Giving Him 2nd Chance: “He Was My Biggest Supporter”

Prior to this season, the past few years haven’t really been ideal for Carmelo Anthony.

After a rough year in Oklahoma City, Anthony was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-way deal, but never played a minute for the Hawks, and was bought out of his contract. Houston then signed him and was hopeful that he could improve their team.

That only lasted a couple of weeks, before Carmelo Anthony’s services were no longer required in Houston. He was the easy scapegoat for how subpar and dysfunctional the Rockets were.

Then, the Portland Trail Blazers finally gave Melo a chance this season, a chance Melo took full advantage of. 

In Portland, Carmelo Anthony quickly started to become friends with Damian Lillard and the two have been sharing a strong bond, both on and off-court, ever since.

During an appearance on ‘The Old Man and The Three Podcast with JJ Redick and Tommy Alter’, Melo discussed his season with the Blazers and explained why joining Portland was the best possible outcome for him.

“Portland to me, it was like, for many reasons, not just basketball, I needed it. I needed that environment. I needed that peace, I needed to be in a place where I can sit and think… 

Was it a second chance? Yes, but for me, it was more like, they’ve taken a chance on me and I have to be there for them.”

When the conversation shifted towards Lillard, and Melo was asked if his perspective of Dame changed since they’ve become teammates, he revealed that Lillard was his biggest supporter:

“I’ve always respected him, always. He was one guy I’ve always respected as a player, and as a person. He was an honest, truthful guy, a humble guy, very loyal. And even prior to going this year, we’ve always had conversations. — ‘Yo man, come to Portland.’ We’ve always had dialogue that this is the place you need to be. He was my biggest supporter,”