Carmelo Anthony

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Carmelo Anthony
Date: September 8, 2025

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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.

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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.”

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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."

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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

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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.

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

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

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It's the late show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.

[Stephen Colbert]

Folks. My next guest Tonight is a 10 time NBA All Star and 3 time Olympic Gold medalist. This Saturday he will be inducted into the Basketball hall of Fame. Please welcome to the late show, Carmelo Anthony. Hey, thanks for being here.

[Carmelo Anthony]

No, no, this is.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice to meet you.

[Carmelo Anthony]

This energy is amazing in here. The band. Shout out to the band over there.

[Stephen Colbert]

Unbelievable. Shout out to the band. Shout out. Hall of Famers.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes. Yes, indeed. Hall of Famers.

[Stephen Colbert]

Big week for you. You're on the COVID Yes.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Of the new NBA 2K26 superstar comes out this Friday. And if that wasn't enough, on Saturday you're going to be inducted into the Basketball hall of Fame. Congratulations on that. I mean that's, that's rarefied.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes, that's.

[Stephen Colbert]

I mean that's, that's rarefied air. What is? Did you ever imagine anything like that?

[Carmelo Anthony]

Not at all. I mean this is a dream actually. That, that come. That's really coming true at this moment. And the timing of it all is just, it feels very divine for myself and just the energy that's around me. But no, to answer your question, no. I never thought I would be.

[Stephen Colbert]

Do you have to give a speech or anything.

[Carmelo Anthony]

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.

[Stephen Colbert]

So I'm like, listen, now, you were drafted in 2003. Could you reflect on that day?

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

And just as importantly, on this suit you're wearing right there.

[Carmelo Anthony]

You know what that is?

[Stephen Colbert]

I love the six button.

[Carmelo Anthony]

It all comes back around. Like, that's one of the suits that people are enjoying and trying to recreate today. So you see AT and T put in the commercial to boxy boys. So it's like it's hall of Fame worthy.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, it is. Now, when you hit a three pointer, what people know about you is when you hit. You've got some great gestures. When you hit a three pointer, you do this. I love it.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I love it.

[Stephen Colbert]

You do this.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I love it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Everybody knows that. It's even on the COVID here. They put that. They put it on the COVID right there of you doing that. How'd that come about, man?

[Carmelo Anthony]

Honestly, it was a teammate of mine. I mean, Rasheed Wallace, he used to do it one time. He used to do it very, very strong and aggressive. And I'm like, yo, you gonna hurt yourself. And then 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.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now, one of the guys you came up with, you were playing high school ball at the same time. This young gentleman right here, LeBron James right there. Whatever happened to that guy? He had such promise, man.

[Carmelo Anthony]

He's still going, man. It's unbelievable, man.

[Stephen Colbert]

You guys keep in touch.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I mean, of course, man.

[Stephen Colbert]

You reflect on those days. Like, look at you guys. High school.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I have to. And it kind of started with that picture right there.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. What's your relationship like with him?

[Carmelo Anthony]

That's my brother. I mean, we talk about being around, being together, being tied, being connected, being talked about since we were 17, 18 years old. And for me to be entering the hall of Fame and for him to, you know, hopefully get his ass up out of there and.

[Stephen Colbert]

Come on.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Come on over this side.

[Stephen Colbert]

Water's fine.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Enough is enough. Give it a break.

[Stephen Colbert]

One of the other things that you're really well known for is your rebounding skills, of course, are amazing, but you've got a particular way of announcing that you have successfully rebounded the ball. So we got a little series of clips here. We'd like everybody to take a look and More importantly, take a listen, Jim, on the drive. I think you can't have it. Range now. Okay, we know where this came from. Where did that one come from?

[Carmelo Anthony]

Honestly, man, Coaches used to get on you about rebounding a basketball, right? And I grew up around old school coaches where they say if somebody come and just, you know, knock their teeth out to go get the basketball, throw.

[Stephen Colbert]

An elbow or something.

[Carmelo Anthony]

So I always. People just steal my rebounds, too. When you look at the stat sheet down the line, it's like, why am I only averaging this? And I'm supposed to be average. I'm rebounding like this. And then you realize, you know what? Every time I start rebounding, I'm gonna let everybody know that this is my rebound. And that's where. That's where that comes from.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's like planting a flag.

[Carmelo Anthony]

You gotta plant your flag.

[Stephen Colbert]

You have to. You have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Carmelo Anthony, everybody. Hey, everybody, we're back with the COVID model for NBA 2K26, and soon to be hall of Famer, Carmelo Anthony. Do you have a favorite celebration that you see another player do, like Steph Curry's Nighty Night or something like that?

[Carmelo Anthony]

I mean, it's some legendary ones. I'm gonna tell you one that got banned. It was like the Sam Cassell big balls. Like he. As a kid, you always wanted to do that when you hit a big shot.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Carmelo Anthony]

And I carried that over to the NBA.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Carmelo Anthony]

And I made a big shot, and I did it one time, and the NBA called me and said, hell, no. I said, sam Cassell, do it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. What? Wow.

[Carmelo Anthony]

That's a special celebration right there.

[Stephen Colbert]

That is. That's just for friends.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Absolutely.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your son, Kyan, right. He's following in your footsteps. You were at Syracuse for a year. He's at Syracuse now, and here he is as a kid. Here's you and him as a kid, which was a great shot, but I love this, man.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes, yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here you are both in Syracuse jerseys, right there.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Yes. Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

As great it is to be a dad of any kind of. What is it like now to be a basketball dad?

[Carmelo Anthony]

It's amazing. I mean, 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 kind of, you know, my basketball and then show up at my IQ through him. Now it's a different time. There's no way I'm getting back out there on the court. But, you know, It's a different time, and it's a new generation and this new energy, and it's his time.

[Stephen Colbert]

You guys ever play one on one?

[Carmelo Anthony]

We messed around and we haven't really gotten out there for real.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. He hasn't said, dad, I gotta go teach you something.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I mean, eventually it's gonna come. At that point in time where I lace him up and we get serious about.

[Stephen Colbert]

There does come a little.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I could be physical with him now.

[Stephen Colbert]

There came a time with my boys, it was about when they were seniors in high school. Cause, you know, you do the handshake and see how much you can squeeze when they won.

[Carmelo Anthony]

Get a little strong right there.

[Stephen Colbert]

That was upsetting. And they're out of the will. You're. You're about to be inducted into the Basketball hall of Fame. I'm a candidate for the waste paper basketball.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I keep hearing hall of fame.

[Stephen Colbert]

You hear this. You know the number of people I've just taken. I've just taken to. To school on this test right now, and I was wondering whether you have the courage to face me.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I. I have the courage. Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

I do have the courage. Here we go. All right, so pick your color. Pick your color. Whichever one you want to do.

[Carmelo Anthony]

I'm going to go armies.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're going to go orange. Okay. Okay. There you go. All right, so here's the thing. There's no time on the clock, right? This is just how many. We each got 10 apiece. What is this? Yeah, we each got 10 a piece. And you want to go first?

[Carmelo Anthony]

No, you the.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'll go first. All right. All right. Well, you're the guest, but whatever you want to do, your choice.

[Carmelo Anthony]

You set the tone.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, so this is just it. We just go one, one, one, one. All right, here we go. Oh, you gotta want it. You gotta want it. Get your head in the game. Oh, come on. Oh. NBA 2K26 superstar edition will be available on Friday. Inducted into the Basketball hall of Fame on Saturday. Carmelo Anthony. We'll be right back. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

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[Carmelo Anthony]

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Carmelo Anthony]

Between techno thriller and romantic comedy.

[Stephen Colbert]

We make up our own rules. NCIS Tony and Ziva now streaming on Paramount plus.