Damian Lillard pokes fun at Carmelo Anthony leaving

After posting a heartfelt goodbye message to Portland, Carmelo Anthony’s ex-teammate Damian Lillard joked that he needed him gone from his property. The two played their last two seasons together with the Portland Trailblazers before Anthony signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Damian Lillard on Carmelo Anthony’s goodbye

During the offseason Carmelo Anthony agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving Portland after two years. Entering his 19th season in 2021, the Lakers will be the seventh team of his career. During his time with Portland, he found his role coming off the bench and had success with the most limited minutes of his career.

Anthony credited the city and team with helping him find his love of basketball again in a heartfelt message he posted on Instagram.

“Portland, all I can say is thank you. Thank you for letting me love the game of basketball again. Thank you for welcoming me into your community, and supporting me both on the court and in your city. These two years were some of the most important ones of my career, and for that I’ll always be grateful. #STAYME7O @trailblazers”

His teammate in Portland, star Damian Lillard took to Anthony’s comment section to make fun of his friend and fellow star.

“Off the property Bruv,” Lillard commented, telling their ex-teammate to get out of their gym. Another teammate CJ McCollum shared in the moment with a playful threat of his own, thanking him for their time together on the court.

“Enjoyed our time together my guy. You got one more day to ignore my FaceTimes before I pull up on you at your crib @carmeloanthony.”

Carmelo in Portland

Coming in to Portland, Anthony wasn’t assuming the star role he has held most of his career. Despite the new role, Anthony found success alongside a team with championship aspirations. In his 2020 season Anthony averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists off the bench.

Possibly his highest point of the season, the Trailblazers celebrated the future Hall of Fame player’s career with a surprise memento. After breaking into the top ten all-time NBA scorers, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum presented him with a tribute in practice. The team made Anthony a custom hoop honoring his achievement, with his name listed among the other members of the top ten list.

𝐌𝐞𝟏𝟎

To celebrate @carmeloanthony's incredible achievement of becoming 10th on the @NBA All-Time scoring list, the team presented him with a custom indoor wall mounted basketball hoop with the names of all 10 players. Congrats again, Melo! pic.twitter.com/qFBlwOqNW7

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 11, 2021

As his storied career continues in Los Angeles as he pursues an NBA championship with Lebron James and Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony will never forget his time in Portland as a Trailblazer, even if Lillard tells him to get out.

Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images