Basketball legend Carmelo Anthony faced backlash for his outfit choice during his analyst debut on NBC. The highly anticipated return of NBA programming on NBC after 23 years featured the season opener between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, 2025. Fans were quick to criticize Anthony for dressing too casually compared to his fellow analysts.
Carmelo Anthony’s Casual Attire Sparks Criticism
During the NBC pregame show, Anthony opted for a black quarterzip sweatshirt and sunglasses. This choice starkly contrasted with the suits worn by Maria Taylor, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter. Many viewers took to social media to express their disapproval.
- “Carmelo Anthony can’t class it up with appropriate attire for the TV presentation?!”
- “Carmelo thought this was a podcast,” another fan remarked, adding laughing emojis.
- “He still looks like he’s playing in that zipup jacket while everyone else got suits on.”
NBA on NBC’s New Era and Game Highlights
NBC’s coverage aims to revive the nostalgia of 90s basketball. The network reacquired media rights for the 202526 season, enlisting iconic analysts, including Carmelo Anthony and Michael Jordan as a special contributor. In total, the newly formed roster includes:
- Carmelo Anthony
- Tracy McGrady
- Maria Taylor
- Vince Carter
- Reggie Miller
- Jamal Crawford
The Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly defeated the Houston Rockets, 125124, in a thrilling doubleovertime match. Anthony expressed his excitement about joining the NBC Sports team, stating, “Watching the NBA on NBC growing up shaped my love for the game.”
Expert Analysis and Future Coverage
Despite the wardrobe controversy, Anthony emphasized his role in providing insightful analysis of the game. NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood highlighted Anthony’s unique perspective, saying, “As a Hall of Famer, he will bring a superstar analysis to our coverage.”
As the NBA season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Anthony’s outfit choices develop alongside his analytical insights on Emegypt.