Carmelo Anthony has never been one to sugarcoat his thoughts, and on a recent episode of the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, he delivered a take that was as bold as one of his signature turnaround jumpers. When the topic turned to LeBron James, Melo didn’t just offer praise-he essentially declared that the NBA still runs through the King.
“He’s living long enough to be the villain… Still holding this league down,” Anthony said of his longtime friend. “This league doesn’t move without Bron.
I don’t give a f**k what anybody says. It doesn’t move without Bron.”
That’s not just a hot take for the sake of headlines-it’s a sentiment that’s hard to argue with when you look at what LeBron is still doing at 41 years old. Case in point: just this past Thursday, February 12, James put on a masterclass at Crypto.com Arena, leading a short-handed Lakers squad to a dominant 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks. With Luka Dončić sidelined, the Lakers needed someone to step up-and LeBron answered the call with authority.
On a night that felt more like a chapter from a legacy than a regular-season game, James became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. He broke a record that had stood since 2003, when Karl Malone set the previous mark at age 40, also in a Lakers uniform. That’s not just longevity-it’s sustained excellence.
Melo’s “villain” comment speaks to the double-edged sword of LeBron’s staying power. For nearly two decades, he’s been the face of the league.
And now, even as a new generation of stars rises-players like Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama-LeBron remains the gravitational force. Whether fans are tuning in to cheer him on or waiting for the day he passes the torch, the spotlight still finds him.
“He’s living long enough to be the villain… Still holding this league down. This league doesn’t move without Bron. I don’t give a f**k what anybody says. It doesn’t move without Bron.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 17, 2026
Carmelo Anthony on LeBron James 🗣️
(via @7PMinBrooklyn)
pic.twitter.com/wbQQ0eqTXx
And it’s not just about nostalgia or name recognition. When James is on the floor, the numbers, the energy, and the storylines all shift.
He’s not just participating in the league’s evolution-he’s still shaping it. That kind of presence is rare, and it’s part of what keeps the Lakers in the thick of a competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Love him or not, Melo’s message rings true: as long as LeBron James is lacing up his sneakers, he’s not just part of the NBA conversation-he is the conversation.