Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady sided with Bam Adebayo when most fans and media turned their backs on the controversial feat he achieved in the Miami Heat–Washington Wizards game. Adebayo was onto Kobe Bryant’s 81-record mark but surpassed it by achieving 83 and becoming the second player, after Wilt Chamberlain, to have the highest single-game scoring total in NBA history.
Legends Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady Defend Bam Adebayo Amid Criticisms
Anthony, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and a ten-time NBA All-Star, joined forces with the 2024 Hall of Famer Carter and one of the greatest shooting guards, McGrady, to opine on the topic that has been making headlines since the historical day on March 10, 2026.
While many, especially Bryant and Lakers fans, argued that the outing was less organic, McGrady jumped in to put Adebayo on a pedestal, since he did it, and how he did it didn’t matter. He just became the second man in history to score such a number after Chamberlain’s 100.
“The other team has NBA players. I don’t care about the 83 and how he did it. Everybody trying to downplay that. 83, that man is the 2nd highest scorer ever. STAMP IT,” he said.
Carter echoed the sentiments and pointed to the Wizards, who could have stopped fouling him and prevented him from getting so many free throws.
“The other team could’ve done something about that. YOU DON’T HAVE TO FOUL HIM. You’re triple-teaming him, but you don’t have to foul him!”
Anthony added:
“83 is 83 I don’t care what they have to say about it.”
The Wizards have been struggling since the former champion Anthony Davis was traded. They became infamous as one of the weakest defensive teams in the league, which has now left their offensive potential overlooked. As Adebayo’s campaign began garnering mixed reactions from across the nation, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith praised him, but his censure of the Washington team was loud.
He used strong words like ‘awful,’ ‘worse,’ and ‘horrible,’ noting that the Wizards seemed to be helping Adebayo.
“They actually looked like they were helping Bam Adebayo capture the record. The Washington Wizards will live in infamy for this, because they are that awful.”
The Kentucky alum was also not free from media scrutiny, as many argued that his team forcefully pushed his scoring tally, and his free-throw count, compared to Bryant’s, was much higher.
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In a later conversation, Adebayo strongly stated that he chased greatness and didn’t care if anyone was bothered by his feat. Coach Erik Spoelstra was also unapologetic, reasoning that he had asked his mentee to take charge when several players were sidelined due to injuries.
“I spoke to Bam … I want, as our best player and team captain, for him to be locked in. And he sure was. … He approached that game appropriately,” Spoelstra said.
The Heat faced the Milwaukee Bucks next and won 112-105, but was unable to continue the momentum in the following game against the Orlando Magic.
