Carmelo Anthony has explained why he refused to embrace a bench role late in his NBA career, admitting he could not accept becoming a veteran mentor rather than a leading player.
Accepting the supporting role can be tough for top stars, especially during the end of their careers.
The former New York Knicks star believes accepting that position could change how people remember him, a mindset that may have contributed to the difficult end of his playing career.
Anthony discussed the subject on his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, reflecting on the challenge of adjusting to a reduced role as a player’s abilities decline.
Carmelo Anthony explains why he rejected a bench role
Speaking on his podcast, Anthony made clear that he respected veterans who accepted supporting roles but did not see himself following the same path.
He said: “I can’t take a Taj Gibson role, and I respect somebody like Taj Gibson to the utmost. But for me to take that role, no, that’s not who I am. I can’t accept that. I don’t want to accept that role.”
Anthony also explained that he worried about how younger players would remember him if they only saw him as a bench player rather than the star he had been during his prime.
“Once you’re seen in that light, that’s who you are. Even if it’s a kid who’s seeing you in that position, that’s the first thing that he’s going to see, which is the last thing of you. So now that’s the memory,” he added.
His comments offer insight into the difficulties he faced towards the end of his career, particularly after his time with the Houston Rockets ended early amid questions about his attitude towards a reduced role.
Anthony later found a place with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he returned to a starting role, before eventually accepting a bench position with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, opportunities became harder to find, and he ultimately left the NBA without securing the championship that had eluded him throughout his career.
Well, that makes him one of the best ever to never touch the championship.
The debate also highlights the challenge facing veteran stars as they age. LeBron James has shown a willingness to accept a smaller role in pursuit of team success, while Anthony’s comments suggest that protecting his identity as a star was a major consideration.
Anthony remains involved in basketball through his work as a broadcaster and podcast host, giving him the opportunity to reflect on a career that brought both major success and a difficult final chapter.
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