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[Saba Sports News] Kobe Bryant might not be thrilled with the Los Angeles Lakers’ choice of head coach, at least according to one story.
On his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Carmelo Anthony recalled that during Team USA tryouts in 2008, Bryant made it his mission to shut down JJ Redick. Anthony claimed that Bryant’s issue with Redick was due to Redick being a favorite of then-Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had coached Redick at Duke.
“I remember Kobe couldn’t stand JJ Redick,” Anthony said. “I hope somebody vouches for me on this story. The moral of the story is Kobe took it personal against JJ Redick in practice because he got tired of Coach K constantly praising JJ Redick.”
“Kobe took it very, very personal to the point where he was running through screens in practice, denying JJ the ball, and fouling him hard. I was like, ‘Damn, why are you treating the young boy like that?'”
Bryant’s response, according to Anthony, was simply, “F— that motherf—er,” explaining that Coach K’s persistent praise of Redick was infuriating to him.
Whether it had anything to do with Bryant or not, Redick did not make the USA Olympic team in 2008. Now, 16 years later, Redick will be coaching the Lakers next season.
One can presume that with the competitive angle reduced, Bryant would be more supportive of Redick’s hire if he were around to see it. Regardless, Anthony’s story is a fascinating one.