John Salley Admits Surprising Take On LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony

The 2003 NBA Draft was filled with incredible, league-changing talent.

Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are just two of the biggest stars that came from that class, rounding out the top-five picks.

Of course, LeBron James was the top choice.

But NBA legend John Salley said that he didn’t originally think James should have been the number one selection in 2003.

Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Salley admitted that he actually apologized to James because he thought Carmelo Anthony was the best of that year’s draft.

He later regretted that decision.

“I thought Carmelo Anthony should have been the number one pick,” Salley said.

He added: “I love Carmelo, but LeBron proved to be the king. I was like, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, just waited and saw him,’” Salley said.

Carmelo Anthony should have been picked over LeBron James in the 2003 NBA Draft is what John Salley thought at first: “I literally apologized to LeBron because I thought that Carmelo Anthony should have been the #1 pick and I love Carmelo but LeBron proved to be The King and I… https://t.co/S7IdIVGgqc pic.twitter.com/YgjQ9hEsuc

— ? Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) August 29, 2023

In reality, Anthony was the third pick in the draft that year.

James was the top choice and Darko Milicic was the second, going to the Detroit Pistons.

Although James would ultimately have a stronger, more impressive career than Anthony’s, it’s understandable why Salley was so blown away by the young star out of Syracuse.

Anthony had undeniable talent, skill, speed, and smarts.

In his very first season, he put that all to good use and averaged 21 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.

He helped lead the Nuggets to the playoffs in his very first year.

James was also phenomenal right out of the gate with 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.

But his Cavaliers wouldn’t reach the playoffs for a couple more years.

There is no doubt that Anthony and James were both superstars in the making.

Salley and everyone else envisioned very long, very successful, and very exciting careers for both of them when they were drafted.

That is exactly what they had.

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