Carmelo and LeBron: A Pictorial History

Carmelo and LeBron: A Pictorial History

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Since first meeting in high school and entering the NBA together in 2003, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James have been among the league's top players. The duo are meeting in the playoffs for the first time as Anthony's Knicks battle James' Heat. As these two battle on the court, SI takes a look at their nearly decade-long rivalry. In this photo, Anthony, a senior at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, shakes hands with James, a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary's in Ohio.

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James and Anthony share a laugh prior to the 2003 NBA Draft. James would be taken first overall by the Cavs while Anthony would go third to the Nuggets.

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James and Anthony chat while waiting to check into the game during Magic Johnson's 18th annual "A Midsummer Night's Magic" charity game at Staples Center in July 2003.

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James gives Anthony the evil eye during their first ever NBA meeting against one another in Nov. 2003. The Nuggets won 93-89 as Anthony scored 14 points while James had seven.

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Anthony fights with James for post position.

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Anthony and James talk before a Dec. 2003 game.

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The duo arrive at the 2004 Rookie Challenge as Anthony pays tribute to Artis Gilmore.

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James and Anthony eagerly wait to get back into the game during the 2004 Rookie Challenge.

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Anthony and James pose for a portrait at the University of Florida Arena prior to the 2004 Olympic Games.

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The duo arrive at the 2005 NBA All Star Party in Denver.

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James and Anthony (along with Tracy McGrady) participate in the 2006 Lebron James Bikeathon in Akron, Ohio.

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James and Anthony dress together before practice for the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Tokyo.

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James and Anthony meet at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas at their first meeting during training camp for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

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Anthony measures up James during the first half of the 2008 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans.

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James and Anthony take in the 2008 Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam.

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U.S. Men's Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski goes over defensive strategy with the duo during a July 2008 practice.

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James straightens Anthony's shorts during the men's basketball quarterfinal game against Australia at the Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in Beijing.

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Anthony face guards James during a Feb. 2010 game in Cleveland.

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Anthony shoots the game winning shot over James.

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Anthony greets James before tip-off at the 2011 All-Star game in Los Angeles.

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Anthony, who was traded to the Knicks in Feb. 2011, drives past James during a 2011 Heat-Knicks game. James had joined the Heat during the summer.

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James and Anthony chat during a charity basketball invitational game in Oklahoma City. The game was part of a series of exhibition games played by NBA stars while they were locked out by the owners during the labor impasse late last year.

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James appears frustrated by Anthony's defense during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The series marks the first time the longtime rivals have faced off in the NBA playoffs.