Kobe Bryant ’s NBA career was not entirely smooth. He dealt with legal issues outside the basketball court, something that could easily throw any player off his game.
However, the Black Mamba proved that he could weather such storms. One witness to that is retired NBA player Carmelo Anthony .
The 39-year-old had a strong relationship with the late Los Angeles Lakers legend during their prime. Both would go out to dinner after games and hang out. But if there was something both avoided conversing about, it was basketball.
“You can’t talk hoop with him. You can’t because it’s always going to come down to winning a championship,” Anthony said on the “ 7PM in Brooklyn ” podcast.
Melo shares an unforgettable Kobe game-winning moment
On the court, Anthony and Bryant battled like gladiators. One game that Melo admits he cannot forget is one in 2003 between the Lakers and his team then, the Denver Nuggets .
Bryant arrived late at the time since he was coming from a court hearing in Colorado. With the game tied in the closing seconds, the 18-time All-Star sank a 21-foot jumper as time expired, handing the Lakers a 101-99 win over the Nuggets, per ESPN .