Rashad McCants Accuses Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade of Stealing His Take on Bronny James Controversy
Just when the controversy between LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith seemed to have reached its peak, former NBA player Rashad McCants added another layer to the drama. The initial incident involved LeBron confronting Smith courtside during the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks game. The confrontation stemmed from LeBron’s frustration over Smith’s repeated criticism of his son, Bronny James. However, what was already a heated debate took another turn when McCants accused Carmelo Anthony of copying his perspective on the situation.
I see what’s going on here. Wait till I say some shit. Then put a face in to say it better. I get it now. It’s the messenger. Not the message. The truth is the truth. I hope more HOFers stand on business more often! https://t.co/B2rfI1ZJ3A
— Rashad McCants (@SoundbiteKing) March 14, 2025
McCants took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration. Reposting a clip from the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, where Carmelo Anthony had discussed the matter, McCants made it clear that he felt overlooked. He wrote, “I see what’s going on here. Wait till I say some shit. Then put a face in to say it better. I get it now. It’s the messenger. Not the message. The truth is the truth. I hope more HOFers stand on business more often.” His post suggested that his perspective had been taken and repackaged by a more prominent voice.
What Did Carmelo Anthony Say?
On the podcast, Carmelo Anthony shared his thoughts on Bronny James’s transition into the NBA. He emphasized that since LeBron was responsible for placing his son in the league, he must also accept the scrutiny that comes with it. Anthony stated:
“… This kid gotta develop. This kid gotta understand the NBA. He gotta understand the season. He gotta understand how to practice. His mental ain’t right. The kid ain’t play in college, he was battling health issues. So now he’s here. He gotta learn how to be that.”
Dwyane Wade, who was also present on the podcast, echoed a similar sentiment. While not being overly critical, Wade acknowledged that criticism is part of the process:
“Bronny needs criticism… We all need some form of criticism.”
Neither Anthony nor Wade’s statements were particularly controversial. Yet, McCants took issue with them, believing that his original stance was being used without proper acknowledgment.
Did Anthony and Wade Copy McCants’ Take?
McCants had previously made similar comments on Gil’s Arena, arguing that LeBron should not be stepping in to shield his son from criticism. He stated:
“We don’t need your daddy step up for you. Every son has gotten criticized, why is it the first time we seeing this…”
His perspective was that being in the spotlight, especially as LeBron James’s son, means criticism is inevitable. While there are similarities between McCants’ statements and those made by Anthony and Wade, the idea that Bronny will face scrutiny in the NBA is not exactly groundbreaking. Many analysts, players, and fans have expressed similar thoughts over time.
Despite this, McCants appeared to feel personally slighted by the situation. His frustration was not just about the message itself but about the perceived lack of credit he received for saying it first. This is not the first time McCants has made such an accusation against a high-profile figure.
McCants’ History of Calling Out Others for “Stealing” His Takes
This situation is reminiscent of a previous instance where McCants accused ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins of copying his take on the Boston Celtics. Last September, Perkins appeared on NBA on ESPN and argued that the Celtics would struggle to repeat as champions in the 2025 season due to improvements made by other teams in the Eastern Conference.
However, McCants had expressed a similar opinion earlier on Gil’s Arena, saying:
“You guys remember me saying that it’s gonna be difficult for the Boston Celtics to win again? Cause everybody on the east got better?”
Upon hearing Perkins make a comparable argument, McCants publicly called him out. He went as far as to say, “Kendrick Perkins just tried to make that same take this morning.”
In that case, McCants believed that his analysis was being lifted by mainstream analysts without giving him proper credit. He even mocked the situation, referencing the viral trend of people wearing oversized hats:
“We say s— over here first. And then all of a sudden, we see this s— being said somewhere else. I wear the big hat on here first, and then I see m———– wearing a big hat everywhere.”
This incident adds to McCants’ growing list of grievances about his takes being “borrowed” by more recognized voices in sports media.
Is McCants Overreacting, or Does He Have a Point?
The situation raises an interesting debate. On one hand, McCants is right that independent voices often do not receive the same recognition as well-established analysts and former NBA stars. It is not uncommon for similar opinions to be expressed by multiple people in the sports world without acknowledgment.
On the other hand, the belief that criticism is an inevitable part of Bronny James’s career is a common perspective. It is unlikely that Anthony and Wade needed to hear McCants’ take before forming their own opinions. Given their experience in the NBA, they would naturally have insights into what young players—especially those with famous fathers—must go through.
McCants’ frustration seems to stem from feeling overshadowed rather than just the substance of the argument itself. Whether or not Anthony and Wade intentionally echoed his sentiments remains open to interpretation.
Ultimately, this adds another chapter to the ongoing saga involving LeBron James, his son Bronny, and the media discourse surrounding them. Whether McCants’ grievances gain further traction or fade into the background remains to be seen.