LeBron recalls saving Melo's life during Bahamas trip

The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers kick off their first-round playoff series Tuesday, which will feature longtime friends and "Banana Boat" crew members LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony squaring off against each other.

Ahead of the series, James recounted how he once came to Anthony's rescue while the two were vacationing in the Bahamas with Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul. The group had jumped in the water to explore a grotto but realized Anthony was missing when they returned to the boat.

"I just knew that he was not back in the boat with the rest of us, so I went out looking for him," James said Monday on a video conference call, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "And through the grace of God and through strength and not being afraid of the water, I was able to help him back to the boat. It was the only thing that was on my mind at that point and time, was getting my brother back to the boat."

Anthony first told the story during an Instagram Live session with Wade and Gabrielle Union in March, likening James to the 1980s television character MacGyver.

When asked how much danger Anthony was in, James said, "I don't know, it's a blessing, honestly. I don't really know what to say, to be honest. I'm just happy he's still here, obviously."

The Lakers-Blazers series will mark just the second time James and Anthony have met in the postseason during their careers. Their first meeting was in 2012 when James' Miami Heat eliminated Anthony's New York Knicks in the first round.