Carmelo Anthony can’t escape banana boat questions — despite not riding in it with pals LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul during a past vacation to the Bahamas.
Since 2015, fans have debated if Anthony is technically part of the “banana boat crew,” which also includes Wade’s wife, actress Gabrielle Union — because he’s not featured in the famous photo that shows the group riding the boat.
“That was a great moment in my career,” the Lakers star said on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast.
“I didn’t get left out,” Anthony said, laughing. He went on to explain that he wasn’t in the banana boat photo because he was the last to arrive to the vacation.
“I had just flown in and we were taxiing to the boat. They were already in the water doing water sports. So I see them… on the banana boat, and I was just like, ‘What is this thing?’ and they were like, ‘Come on’ and I was like, ‘I’m not getting on this sh-t,'” he recalled.
Anthony added that James, Paul and Wade all used to “get on me” about saying he’s not actually part of the banana boat crew.
After they kept jokingly “arguing and fighting” about it, Anthony told the group, “Alright, f–k it, I’m part of the banana boat crew.
Carmelo Anthony declared himself a member of the infamous banana boat crew, despite not appearing on the vessel.Anthony J. Causi“I wouldn’t have gone on it… but I am an extension of the banana boat family.”
Fans will see more of James and Anthony together as their 19th season approaches, after James convinced Anthony to join him in Los Angeles.
In August, the former Trail Blazers forward agreed to a one-year deal with the Lakers. At the time, he explained that James had swayed him to the purple-and-gold with a single conversation.
“Bron just came to me one time and said, ‘Yo, the time is now. I want you. We got to make this happen. And I just felt like for right now, this is the best time,” Anthony said during his introductory press conference with the Lakers.
Anthony is striving to win his first NBA championship in the 2021-22 season. He has never made it to the NBA Finals in 13 postseason appearances, including three trips with the Knicks.
