The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Carmelo Anthony
Date: September 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stephen Colbert sits down with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony ahead of his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The conversation covers Carmelo’s remarkable career, signature moments on and off the court, his friendship with LeBron James, fatherhood, and what it means to reach basketball’s greatest honor. True to Colbert style, the interview is warm, witty, and full of playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Carmelo’s Upcoming Hall of Fame Induction

• Stephen announces Carmelo’s big week: New NBA 2K26 cover and Hall of Fame induction.
  • Stephen Colbert (04:41): “On Saturday you're going to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Congratulations on that. I mean, that's rarefied air.”
• Carmelo reflects on the honor:
  • He describes it as “a dream actually...the timing of it all is just, it feels very divine for myself” and admits he never anticipated this outcome.
  • Carmelo Anthony (05:03): “No, to answer your question, no. I never thought I would be.”
• Hall of Fame speech confession:
  • Carmelo admits he submitted his speech very late:
    • Carmelo Anthony (05:19): “Yeah, they probably mad at me. Cause I just sent my speech in, like, probably two days ago, and they was looking for it in July.”

Reflecting on the 2003 NBA Draft and Iconic Suit

• The 2003 draft suit:
  • Stephen praises Carmelo’s memorable six-button suit, and Carmelo notes the style’s cyclical return.
    • Carmelo Anthony (05:38): “It's one of the suits that people are enjoying and trying to recreate today. It's Hall of Fame worthy.”

Signature Celebrations & NBA Culture

• Three-To-The-Dome gesture origin:
  • Carmelo credits Rasheed Wallace for the inspiration and explains how it became his signature:
    • Carmelo Anthony (06:15): “I found myself just making the three and being in the moment, and I did it three times. And I'm like, you know what? I'm sticking with this. It became three to the Dome on that.”
• Favorite celebrations:
  • Carmelo names the now-banned “Sam Cassell big balls” as his all-time favorite, recalling how he got in trouble for trying it in the NBA.
    • Carmelo Anthony (09:24): “As a kid, you always wanted to do that when you hit a big shot...and I did it one time, and the NBA called me and said, hell, no. I said, Sam Cassell do it!”

Carmelo’s Relationship with LeBron James

• Longtime bond since high school:
  • Carmelo Anthony (06:59): “That's my brother. We talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old.”
• Friendly push for LeBron to retire and join him in the Hall:
  • Carmelo Anthony (07:13): “For me to be entering the Hall of Fame and for him to, you know, hopefully get his ass up out of there and...come on over this side. Water's fine.”

Rebounding Style & Statement

• Planting the flag on rebounds:
  • Carmelo discusses his vocal way of claiming rebounds, rooted in a desire to prevent stat theft:
    • Carmelo Anthony (08:16): “Every time I start rebounding, I'm gonna let everybody know that this is my rebound. That's where that comes from.”
• Stephen’s analogy:
  • Stephen Colbert (08:48): "It's like planting a flag."

Fatherhood & Next Generation

• Son following in his footsteps at Syracuse:
  • Stephen Colbert (09:59): “Your son, Kyan, right. He's following in your footsteps...he's at Syracuse now.”
  • Carmelo expresses pride and joy in watching his son’s journey, appreciating the chance to teach and learn as a basketball dad:
    • Carmelo Anthony (10:30): “It's amazing. I get a chance to teach, I get a chance to learn, I get a chance to listen, but I also get a chance to kind of just relive...my basketball...through him.”

Collegial Banter & Waste-Paper Basketball

• Father-son games:
  • Stephen jokes about the generational challenge when sons become physically stronger.
• On-air ‘waste-paper basketball’ challenge:
  • Carmelo gamely agrees to a shooting contest with Stephen.
    • Stephen Colbert (11:26): “You're about to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. I'm a candidate for the waste paper basketball.”
    • Carmelo Anthony (11:35): “I have the courage. Yes.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hall of Fame Recognition
  • Stephen Colbert (04:41): “On Saturday you're going to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Congratulations on that. I mean, that's rarefied air.”
  • Carmelo Anthony (05:03): “This is a dream actually...feels very divine for myself.”
• Three-To-The-Dome Origin
  • Carmelo Anthony (06:15): “It became three to the Dome on that.”
• Ban on Sam Cassell Celebration
  • Carmelo Anthony (09:39): “I did it one time, and the NBA called me and said, hell, no. I said, Sam Cassell do it!”
• Brotherhood with LeBron
  • Carmelo Anthony (06:59): “That's my brother. We talk about being around, being together...since we were 17, 18 years old.”
• On being a basketball dad
  • Carmelo Anthony (10:30): “It's amazing. I get a chance to teach, I get a chance to learn...relive...my basketball...through him."

Important Timestamps

• 04:01–04:37: Carmelo’s entrance and Hall of Fame discussion
• 05:33–05:53: Reflection on NBA Draft and iconic fashion
• 06:06–06:34: The story of the Three-To-The-Dome celebration
• 06:34–07:18: Relationship with LeBron James
• 08:16–08:51: The story behind Carmelo’s rebounding declarations
• 09:24–09:54: NBA celebration gestures and the Sam Cassell anecdote
• 09:59–10:53: Carmelo on fatherhood and his son’s journey at Syracuse
• 11:26–12:00: Waste-paper basketball challenge with Stephen

Tone & Style

This episode is celebratory, nostalgic, and full of humor, with genuine camaraderie between Colbert and Anthony. Stephen toggles between earnest admiration and playful teasing, while Carmelo is relaxed, gracious, and eager to share behind-the-scenes stories from his illustrious career and personal life.

For Carmelo fans, basketball lovers, and anyone interested in the personal stories behind NBA legends, this episode is a slam dunk.