Super Rookie Summit: LeBron vs. Carmelo

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Russell vs. Chamberlain. Bird vs. Magic. Jordan vs. Everyone.

Rivalries have always given the NBA some extra bounce. On Wednesday night, another will be born.

This one pits a pair of the league's most talented rookies -- good friends who have received rave reviews after playing just a few pro games.

And Cleveland's LeBron James and Denver's Carmelo Anthony can't wait for the opening tip.

``I'm looking forward to it,'' said James, the Cavaliers' 18-year-old guard.

``You know there's going to be a lot of hype,'' Anthony said.

More than 20,000 fans, a national TV audience and more media than have ever covered a game in Gund Arena, will witness the Cavaliers' home opener against the Nuggets.

It also will be James' regular-season home debut, and the former Akron high school superstar -- and No. 1 NBA draft pick -- wants to put on a good show.

``A lot of people are going to be here,'' said James, who has averaged 18 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists in three games. ``I'm just here to show the city of Cleveland that we're a way, way, way better team than we were last year.''

James grew up just 30 miles away, and he's expecting a large contingent of family and friends to be on hand: ``Half of Akron,'' he says.

James and Anthony last faced each other in high school and have been trying to downplay any rivalry -- old or new.

``A lot of people are going to portray it as a LeBron-Carmelo game, but it's a Nuggets vs. Cavaliers game, and we're trying to go out there and win,'' Anthony said. ``It's going to be on everybody's front page. I know that already. As long as I go in there with the mind-set of just trying to win, nothing can hold me back.''

Nothing has stopped Anthony so far.

A 6-foot-8, 220-pounder with a feathery outside touch, Anthony, the No. 3 overall selection, hasn't gotten half as much hype as James. His stats (17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists through three games) aren't quite as impressive, either.

However, Anthony led the Nuggets to a 2-1 record after three games, with wins over Western Conference powers San Antonio and Sacramento. Against the Kings, Anthony had 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in his best all-around effort this season.

``Smooth,'' Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said of Anthony. ``He kind of reminds me of (Sixers forward) Glenn Robinson a lot in that he has that nice jumper, but he goes to the hoop. He's going to be a scorer for years to come.''

Anthony had his worst game as a pro Tuesday night, scoring just two points on 1-for-13 shooting in Denver's 71-60 loss at Indiana.

Like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird before them, James and Anthony have entered the league with huge expectations. What sets them apart is that unlike Johnson and Bird, who became good friends later on in their careers, Anthony and James are already tight.

They first bonded at a USA Basketball Festival three years ago in Colorado, where they were clearly the best players. But James says it was their off-court similarities that naturally drew them together.

``He's cool,'' James said. ``He came up the same as me -- single parent, talk of the town. We just came up playing the game we love. We love the same things.''

James said he speaks with Anthony every other day. They talk about life as soon-to-be NBA All-Stars.

``We're going to push each other because we want to be the best,'' James said.

As for building a heated rivalry with Anthony, James said that's for others to work on. He and his close friend just want to play.

``I'm not going to go up to him and say, 'Let's start a rivalry,''' James said. ``It's already on TV, 'The rivalry between LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.' The media does that, not players.''

The pair haven't played against each other since 2002 when James, a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary, and Anthony, who played at Oak Hill Academy, went head-to-head during a game in Trenton, N.J., that was attended by dozens of college and pro scouts.

James outscored Anthony 36-34.

``We went one on one the whole game,'' James said. ``I had two more points than him, but he got the win.''

Their only other meeting came a year earlier in Colorado Springs, Colo.

``Lost that one, too,'' James said with a smile. ``I ain't beat him yet.''</div>

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I'm rooting for the King! He is so far beyond a phenom. Look at the way he is dealing with all the media attention, and stil doing his job, putting up numbers night in and night out. An 18-y.o. 240 pound superman! That's the only way to describe him....

 

lol @ I aint beet him yet.

This is going to be one hell of a game, I know Im watching.

 

im rooting for Melo...he's the one who didn't receive the hype that he deserves...he's out to prove people wrong...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">im rooting for Melo...he's the one who didn't receive the hype that he deserves...he's out to prove people wrong...</div>I'm kinda feeling the same way. I am impressed with Lebron and I'm happy he is doing well but Mello really didn't get the hype that he deserved. Should be a good matchup.

 

Be interesting to see if LeBron and Carmelo actually go head to head. Something tells me Paul Silas will try and pull LeBron away from going one on one, but he won't be able to resist it. Hope the Cavs get a win here.

 

Both have been very impressive so far. Coming into the season I doubted LeBron would make the impact he has so far. He's really proved me wrong about him. I still think since Carmelo is basically all the Nugs have he will pull out with the ROY but it will be a close race. This going to be one heck of a rivalry (James vs Anthony) in years to come and will really help the NBA pull in more viewers. I'll be watching tonight and rooting for the Nugs. However, the Cavs will win and Carmelo will have a better night than LeBron.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warrior:</div><div class="quote_post">Both have been very impressive so far. Coming into the season I doubted LeBron would make the impact he has so far. He's really proved me wrong about him. I still think since Carmelo is basically all the Nugs have he will pull out with the ROY but it will be a close race. This going to be one heck of a rivalry (James vs Anthony) in years to come and will really help the NBA pull in more viewers. I'll be watching tonight and rooting for the Nugs. However, the Cavs will win and Carmelo will have a better night than LeBron.</div>

Em... I actually think the Nuggets will win , but 'Bron will have a better night than Melo...

 

Melo did not get the hype he deserved? Did you not read the article? I know that they went into a workout together and everybody went in wanting to see Carmelo Anthony...they left talking about LeBron James. Anthony had his chance just like LeBron did, same for any other high school or college kid. You get attention by play, not because the media just picked James as some random kid they were going to give attention to.

 

I have been looking forward to this match-up for quite a while.Melo will be looking to bounce back from his terrible 1-13 performance last night...Lebron will want to prove a point and get the first win of his NBA career

Lots of motivation for both teams and players tonight

 

I'm going for Melo in this. Mainly cause this will be good for him if manages to bounce back after a miserable game and do it against James.

 

Apparently ESPN is taking full advantage of having the privelege of having the 2 rookies... apparantley (reliable friend says) that ESPN Bottom Line read... Melo @ Lebron (Cleveland) ...

 

lol @ purehoops!

That is good stuff, almost reminds me of that sign that was put up that said "Geo. Mikan vs. Knicks".

The media is just taking advantage of what we want to see.

 

mello baby

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VCarter:</div><div class="quote_post">mello baby</div>

Why don't you get the name right next time? lol

 

Does Cleveland play any defense..
It looks like Carmelo is just runnin a layup line.. way too easy
No wonder the cavs have been good awful this year

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting grizzoistight:</div><div class="quote_post">Does Cleveland play any defense..
It looks like Carmelo is just runnin a layup line.. way too easy
No wonder the cavs have been good awful this year</div>

Not as awful as you are a poster.

 

Nene is also dominating inside..He should be given the ball more..He has the talent to do some damage.

 

Big first term by Nene, killing Boozer. Miles has gotta take higher % shots too, or develop a jumper