Ex-NBA star claims Kobe Bryant could not stand JJ Redick

Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant might be underwhelmed with the Los Angeles Lakers’ choice of head coach, at least according to one tale.

Carmelo Anthony claimed on his “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast that during Team USA tryouts in 2008, Bryant made it his personal mission to completely shut down JJ Redick. Anthony claimed that Bryant’s issue with Redick stemmed from 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, I swear to God, if anybody was on that, they know. The moral of the story is Kobe took it personal against JJ Redick in practice, because he got tired (how) Coach K kept talking about JJ Redick.

“Kobe took it very, very personal to the point where he was running through screens in practice, he was denying JJ the ball, he was fouling the s— out of JJ. I’m like, ‘Damn, why are you treating the young boy like that?'”

Bryant’s response, according to Anthony, was simply “f— that motherf—er,” and to explain that Coach K’s persistent praise of Redick was infuriating to Bryant.

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 a bit more supportive of Redick’s hire if he were around to see it. Regardless, Anthony’s tale is a pretty fantastic one.

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