Carmelo Anthony Unbothered By Not Winning A Championship: “Not Everybody Can Win It”

Background by: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Rings have always been a testament to greatness for NBA players, especially for lead superstars. The more rings a player has, the more likely fans and analysts alike will regard them highly. This is why some players have even forced trades to join powerhouse teams in pursuit of a championship.

However, this ring culture can also lead to underappreciation or criticism of superstars who have not won a title. Carmelo Anthony, one of the greatest scorers of all time, is a prime example. Despite his undeniable talent, Anthony has often been mocked for not winning a championship.

In a recent interview with Complex, Anthony addressed the ring culture in the NBA and was also asked whether he was bothered by not having won a championship. The former New York Knicks superstar responded that he was not bothered, and suggested that players still deserve credit for their works even if they do not win a championship.

Per Complex: 

“No, it don’t bother me because the game changed and the culture of the game changed. It was like in the ’80s, ’90s, when it was about ring culture. I think now it’s the money. It’s the bag, It’s let me go get 200 (million) and rightfully so. But the focus is not just rings no more, you know what I mean?

You still wanna win the championship but it’s like I’m gonna get the 60 million before I go get the ring. So I just think that the mindset has shifted tremendously when it comes to ring culture. Like, there’s no way that guys who haven’t won the ring shouldn’t still get the credit that they deserve.

(Charles) Barkley is who he is. You know, Reggie (Miller) is who he is. We are who we are. So because we didn’t get win the NBA championship, we shouldn’t get credit? Like we should just be dismissed on everything? So I will always kind of disagree with that but as far as ring culture, I think people understand that not everybody can win it.”