Trail Blazers

Carmelo Anthony explains why he works so well with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum

/ by Jamie Hudson
Trail Blazers

Jamie Hudson

NBC Sports

A lot was made about the way Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Carmelo Anthony worked together on and off the court during the 2019-20 season.

The stellar trio provides different types of leadership in Portland. 

And three different types of leaders is never a bad thing.

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When ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth asked Melo how the leadership between the three stars was able to work so nicely in Portland, Melo smiled as he responded with:   

Easy. It’s easy.  When it comes to basketball we know the situation… Dame, CJ, [and] I fall in line. But, I bring something different to the team. I bring a different type of leadership to the team. I bring a work ethic to the team. I bring a mental stimulation to the team.

Carmelo Anthony

Lillard is the more vocal leader with McCollum often saying he is more of a 'lead by example' type of leader. But the three together bring more experience than most teams can even imagine. 

The Trail Blazers and the NBA world knows just how valuable Melo has been for Portland and its young players.

Anthony, now at 36, has a leadership style that never goes unnoticed.

Experience, situations that some of the guys probably never been through, advice, and just being there for the team.

Carmelo Anthony on what he brought to the Blazers last season

In 58 regular season games played with Portland, Melo averaged 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season.

In the recent ESPN interview, Anthony also explained what he meant when he said that Damian Lillard was the “top” teammate he has ever played alongside.

His capabilities. I’ve played with a lot of great players and I don’t want to go down the line because some of them would get mad at me... So when I say that, I mean what he’s capable of doing... I’ve never played with nobody who saw the game, and feel the game out the way that he does.

Melo on Dame

"I’ve played with [Allen Iverson]," Anthony added. “But, Dame is just now getting to his prime. I don’t even think he’s hitting his prime yet. That’s why I made those comments.”

Comments that all of Rip City can get behind.