Monday was bittersweet for LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers for a couple of reasons.
Most notably, his team was pushed out of the Western Conference Finals by the Denver Nuggets.
But it was also the day that his friend Carmelo Anthony officially announced his retirement from the league.
James spoke about that after his team’s painful loss.
“I kind of knew the announcement was going to happen, ’cause I shot the video a week ago,” James said.
He was referencing the announcement video for Anthony’s retirement that he was in.
“That’s one of my best friends,” James said seriously.
He then spoke about the way that the two grew up together, competed against each other, and pushed one another to be better.
“I kind of knew the announcement was going to happen, cus I shot the video a week ago… people will probably think I’m lying about that too, huh?” 😁 LeBron on @carmeloanthony's retirement and their history together. pic.twitter.com/yD3A6viU3i
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 23, 2023
James reminisced about missing the playoffs in his first year but being courtside in Denver to witness Anthony play in the postseason.
He also talked about being in Cleveland during his rookie year and rushing home after a game to watch Anthony play.
These are two players who grew up in the same circles, got drafted in the same year, and then played against and with each other.
It’ll be odd for James to be in an NBA without Anthony.
Perhaps Anthony’s retirement had something to do with James speculating about his own future.
Following Monday night’s loss, James openly said that he has a lot to think about when it comes to what’s next for him.
After that statement was made, reports said that James is thinking of possibly retiring before next season.
No one knows how serious James is about hanging it all up.
But there is a chance that seeing his close friend say goodbye to the NBA has James thinking of the same.
NEXT: Anthony Davis Reveals His Thoughts After Playoff Elimination