Carmelo Anthony Gets Real About Why He’s Not in the Infamous Banana Boat Picture, and He Still Seems Just as Confused as Everyone Else
Throughout NBA history, there have been several teams who have captivated the attention of fans everywhere. From Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls to LeBron James’ Miami Heat and even Stephen Curry/Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors, some squads have just been iconic. One of the most popular teams of all time, though, never actually played a game together: the Banana Boat Crew.
The Banana Boat Crew consists of James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, as there was an infamous picture of them all on a banana boat together while on vacation in 2015. However, what many people forget is that Anthony wasn’t actually on the boat or in the picture.
So, why did he get left out? The NBA legend recently revealed why he wasn’t in the infamous photo.
Spoiler alert: He still seems just as confused as everyone else.
The origin of the Banana Boat Crew
During the 2015 offseason, LeBron James was fresh off an NBA Finals appearance with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his fifth straight trip to the championship series and the sixth time he had reached it overall. Dwyane Wade, on the other hand, had just come off his 11th consecutive All-Star season, while Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony had also just finished a couple of All-Star campaigns.
So, given the stresses that come with carrying franchises, the four players needed time away, and they chose to go on a vacation to the Bahamas together.
However, while on the trip, a photo went viral of James, Paul, Wade, and Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union-Wade, all on a banana boat. It took the internet by storm, and with everyone knowing that Anthony was also on the vacay with them, fans began calling them the Banana Boat Crew.
But why wasn’t Anthony in that photo? He recently gave some insight into why that was the case.
Carmelo Anthony revealed why he wasn’t on the banana boat
Anthony recently appeared on All The Smoke, and former NBA player Matt Barnes asked him about how the Banana Boat Crew became a thing.
“I wasn’t on that f—ing banana boat, man,” Anthony said on the Aug. 19 episode. “… I came late to the vacation. So, as I’m on a tender, going to the yacht, I see them on the banana boat. I’m [thinking] to myself like, ‘What the f— are they doing?’ I ain’t ever getting on no s— like that.”
OK, so poor timing may have led to Anthony not being in the photo. But, as mentioned earlier, he soon saw the internet automatically group him up with his friends. He became an honorary member of the Banana Boat Crew; he was essentially guilty by association.
“The next day, there’s a picture [that’s] everywhere: ‘the Banana Boat Crew.’ I ain’t even there, though. I rode past that s—. I won’t even get on that s— with my son,” he said.
Yeah, so Anthony wasn’t actually in the photo, and he says he would never get on a banana boat, but unfortunately for him, he’s still a part of the crew — aka one of the most iconic teams in NBA history.
The Banana Boat Crew is one of the most iconic squads in NBA history
The Banana Boat Crew never played an actual NBA game fully assembled, as James and Wade played on the same team in Miami for four years (and in part of a season in Cleveland), Paul and Anthony were together for a short period in Houston, and James and Anthony will soon play together this upcoming season in Los Angeles. But if they would have all teamed up, it would’ve been incredible.
James is one of the NBA’s GOATs, as he is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion, and a four-time Finals MVP. The 17-time All-Star is also third in NBA history in total points with 35,367 and eighth in assists with 9,696.
Wade, on the other hand, was easily one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history throughout his career. He earned 13 All-Star selections, won three NBA championships, and was the 2005-06 Finals MVP.
Paul has also been one of the best players to ever play his position, as the legendary point guard has earned 11 All-Star selections, he has led the NBA in assists four times, steals six times, and he is top five in NBA history in both assists (10,275) and steals (2,332).
Lastly, Anthony was one of the most elite scorers the league had ever seen during his prime. He even led the NBA in points per game in 2012-13 and is in the top 10 in NBA history (12th in NBA/ABA) with 27,370 career points. He has also earned 10 career All-Star selections.
Right now, three of these four stars are still adding to their legacies (everyone but Wade). Soon enough, though, they will go from the banana boat to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They are all legends.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference
