For decades, fans and analysts have engaged in the debate of who the best players in NBA history are. And, while most people agree that Michael Jordan and LeBron James should make the cut, there's always someone with a different opinion.
Truth be told, that debate is futile and lacks context. Players from different eras could've thrived regardless of the rules and their rivals, but others had a game that was tailor-made for their time.
Even so, Los Angeles Lakers star Carmelo Anthony did his best to try and put together his all-time roster. To the surprise of several people, he didn't include his lifelong friend --and now teammate-- LeBron James in the starting five.
Carmelo Anthony Leaves LeBron James Out Of His All-Time Starting Lineup
During an appearance in the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, the Lakers forward chose his top 12 players of all time. Notably, he agreed to leave Michael Jordan out of the equation because he's pretty much a given at this point.
Anthony chose Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, himself, Kevin Garnett, and Hakeem Olajuwon for the starting five, leaving LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Durant in the second unit.
That roster looks pretty solid and covers plenty of the all-time greats. But clearly, Anthony is more of a fan of modern basketball than you'd think. Also, his competitiveness was in full display by starting himself over LeBron, and we just love to see it.
In reality, that's not likely to happen, though. Anthony will most likely be in charge of leading scoring off the bench for the new-look Los Angeles Lakers, hoping to make his first NBA Finals appearance. That, assuming LeBron doesn't get mad about this and trade him midseason. Just kidding.
