Portland Trail Blazers: Carmelo Anthony on his respect for Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers power forward Carmelo Anthony recently appeared on JJ Redick’s podcast, where he talked about the respect he always had for Damian Lillard.

Fans know how much respect Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard carries in the league, but Carmelo Anthony, appearing on J.J. Redick‘s podcast, explained the high regard he holds Dame in.

Redick’s podcast has become a fan favorite over the last few months as he had a multitude of NBA players and celebrities appear.

Redick and Melo start off discussing the McDonalds All-American game they both played in, in 2002. Those two and Andre Iguodala are the only players left playing in the NBA from the 2002 recruiting class.

Melo then went on to talk about his seven and a half years in Denver playing for the Nuggets. He discussed his time playing with NBA greats Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups and characters like JR Smith and Chris ‘ Birdman ‘ Andersen.

Melo even talked about how rapper Master P and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman both tried out for the Nuggets in 2003, showing just how long he has been in the league.

When discussing Dame and Melo’s surprise signing by the Blazers, he said that Dame always wanted him in Portland. In previous years Dame had tried to get Melo to come, but for one reason or another, it didn’t come together until 2020. He had always respected Dame as a person and player because of his humbleness and loyalty.

Neil Olshey wanted Melo to come in and play right away in San Antonio, but Melo laughed and said this wasn’t possible as he had been on the couch for a year. Melo said he needed the environment and peace that Portland provided, and that it was a second chance for him in his NBA career.

You can listen to the hour-long conversation that Melo had with JJ here.