2024 has been a monumental year for Carmelo Anthony. From becoming the Global Ambassador of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) Next Stars program to owning a stake in an NBL team, Melo has been making headlines. Add to that his son, Kiyan, committing to Syracuse and his own nomination for the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame—it seems like a celebration in every corner. But not everyone is on the same page. Stephen A. Smith, Melo’s long-time critic, took a moment to question whether the nomination was truly deserved.

Smith sparked a heated debate with a video addressing Carmelo’s Hall of Fame case. He acknowledged Melo’s decorated resume but didn’t shy away from pointing out potential weak spots. “I know people look at Carmelo Anthony, he’s a 10-time All-Star. You see the resume right there,” Smith began, before listing Melo’s highlights: a historic NCAA title at Syracuse, three Olympic gold medals, and being 10th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Despite these accolades, however, Smith seemed to suggest that his NBA career alone might not have solidified his Hall of Fame induction. “If it were just the NBA, it would be a challenge because he’s never played in an NBA Finals, never went to an NBA Finals,” the ESPN analyst said on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

Interestingly, Smith praised Melo’s character as he directed a heartfelt message to Melo’s son, Kiyan: “Your father’s special. Your father’s a Hall of Famer. No matter what your father was as a player, he’s an even better person. He’s a Hall of Fame man.”

While Melo’s global accolades are undeniable, even he once highlighted the unique pride tied to Olympic success. “When we talk about global sports… a medal means something totally different than an NBA championship,” Melo said during the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Smith was quick to dismiss that perspective, calling it “maybe the most ridiculous comment I’ve ever heard come out of his mouth.”

With the Hall of Fame nomination pending, Carmelo Anthony’s legacy remains a polarizing topic. While his global and collegiate accomplishments bolster his case, the question lingers—did his NBA career deliver enough to stand alone? For Stephen A. Smith, the answer remains complicated.

Stephen A. Smith highlights only “blemish” in Carmelo Anthony’s career

Just last month, Stephen A. Smith addressed what he called the only “blemish” in Carmelo Anthony’s otherwise impressive career. Speaking on The Stephen A. Smith Show, he dived into the debate of Anthony versus LeBron James. According to Smith, Melo’s lack of NBA Finals appearances creates a clear line of separation.

“His career is not comparable to that of LeBron James because James is a four-time champion and he’s played 10 times in the NBA Finals,” Smith pointed out. “Melo never got there once. That is a huge blemish on the career of Anthony; it is the only blemish.”

Both Anthony and James entered the league with high expectations after being drafted as the 3rd and 1st picks, respectively, in 2003. While James notched multiple Finals appearances and titles, Anthony—despite leading competitive teams like the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks—never competed for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. Yet, Smith hasn’t abandoned his admiration for Melo’s talent.

He noted that in hindsight, Anthony deserved to go second (by the Detroit Pistons) in the 2003 Draft. “But the person that should have been drafted number 2 overall behind James in 2003 should’ve been Anthony,” he shared. The Pistons went on to win the title in 2004. Who knows what would have been the case had they drafted Anthony instead of Darko Milicic. Despite the critiques, Smith’s respect for Anthony remains unwavering, even as he underscores the glaring gap in Finals appearances.