A relative of Michael Jordan: “I had to apologize to LeBron after that”

Despite his status as a living legend in the NBA, LeBron James doesn’t always get the recognition he deserves, especially among Michael Jordan’s clan. An ex-teammate of Her Majesty, however, had no choice but to apologize to the Chosen One some time ago…

Along with the 1984 and 1996 draft vintages, the 2003 draft is probably one of the best in history. If we except Darko Milicic who was chosen by the Pistons in 2nd position, the Top 5 looks great: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosch. Only Hall of Famers or at least in the making, in particular the first city who is one of the candidates for the GOAT.

A real phenomenon when he left high school, he who skipped the university box to join the NBA directly, the King already had everything he needed to dominate at only 18 years old. However, some elders persisted in having doubts about him, starting with John Salley. Former teammate of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, the latter thought that another player deserved the first pick. But he ended up changing his mind!

John Salley thought Melo should be the first pick in 2003

.@thejohnsalley apologized to LeBron after saying Carmelo Anthony should’ve been the #1 pick in 2003:

“I was 100% wrong, I had no idea he was going to be this good…He walks on the court and you get nervous.” pic.twitter.com/1G5npF9sVl

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) November 8, 2022

I said to him, “I thought Carmelo should have been the first draft pick and I had to apologize. I was 100% wrong. I had no idea you’d be this good. »

We will at least recognize Salley for having been able to reconsider his past statements, even to the point where he went to apologize in person at the Chosen One. However, not sure that his choice was so unreasonable at the start… certainly, LBJ clearly overtook Melo afterwards, but the latter had simply been ultra-impressive from his debut in the big league.

Fresh off an absolutely magnificent NCAA title with Syracuse, the winger finished top scorer among rookies in 2003-04, including ahead of Bron. Author of 21 points, 6 rebounds and more than one interception per game for the Nuggets, he quickly showed everyone the racy striker he was. A scoring machine certainly unable to take its own to the end, but sublime to watch play:

Rookie Carmelo Anthony torching the Lakers for 35 PTS. (2004) pic.twitter.com/U9WGLnpQWc

— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) October 22, 2019

John Salley was convinced of it on the evening of the 2003 draft, it was Carmelo Anthony who should have been called first by David Stern. The sequel, however, proved him wrong vis-à-vis LeBron James and he was the first to admit it. We imagine that the King will have appreciated.