Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett had highly-publicized verbal altercations during a game between Melo’s Knicks and Garnett’s Celtics back in 2013. It’s been speculated as to what Garnett said to trigger Anthony and cause him to become so angry at him. The two were able to eventually patch things up, apparently enough so that Anthony now includes him in his all-time starting 5.
Carmelo Anthony includes Kevin Garnett on his all-time starting 5
This past weekend, Anthony was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He joins Garnett in Springfield as the Big Ticket was enshrined in 2020.
Recently, Fanatics asked the 2012-13 scoring champion who his all-time starting 5 would consist of. Carmelo listed his choices as Derrick Rose, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, and Shaquille O’Neal.
What would be this team’s record if they got to play an entire year together in their prime? @carmeloanthony pic.twitter.com/BBxpWr10hy
— Fanatics (@Fanatics) September 6, 2025
Of course, many people went to social media wondering how Anthony could leave both Michael Jordan and LeBron James off his starting 5. He only listed guys he played against though, and Jordan’s last season with the Wizards was the year before Melo was a rookie in the NBA.
Not including LeBron should be more surprising because the two are known friends. Still, Anthony was teammates with both Rose and Iverson so he may have wanted to include them because of that. Many athletes’ that name their starting 5 aren’t necessarily naming who they believe are the best players of all-time, but rather their favorite players to watch/play against/play with. If Melo was asked to name the best players of all-time, MJ and LeBron would likely be included.
Garnett holds nearly every Timberwolves record
Having Garnett on his all-time starting lineup is an appreciation of what the 21-year veteran did during his NBA career. The 6-foot-11 power forward played his first 12 seasons with the Timberwolves before also ending his career in Minnesota.
The list of accolades that Garnett accumulated with the Wolves is seemingly endless. He was named the league's MVP in 2003-04 and finished as the runner-up twice. During that first 12-year stint, Garnett was named to 10 All-Star, 8 All-NBA, and 8 All-Defensive teams. Look at the Timberwolves' all-time leaders, and there is a good chance that Garnett is atop whichever statistical category you look at.
While Tim Duncan usually gets the nod as the all-time best power forward, Garnett absolutely has a case to be on the power forward Mount Rushmore. Greatness recognizes greatness, and that is the case with Melo appreciating KG's body of work.