Carmelo Anthony has shed light on the conflict between Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and new Lakers coach JJ Redick. In a segment on ‘7PM in Brooklyn,’ Anthony recalled the tension during their Team USA days, attributing it to coach Mike Krzyzewski’s constant praise of Redick.
Anthony recounted, “Kobe couldn’t stand JJ Redick because Coach K wouldn’t stop talking about him. Kobe took it personally, going as far as running through screens in practice, denying JJ the ball, and fouling him hard. I asked him, ‘Why are you treating the young guy like that?’ and Kobe responded, ‘Coach K keeps hyping him up. I’m going to show you today.’ Kobe didn’t let Redick score in practice.”
Melo tells the story of Kobe Bryant bullying JJ Redick during Team USA tryouts because he was sick of Mike Krzyzewski talking him up 😭
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Redick, a 15-year NBA veteran, was known for his role as a reliable shooter, providing crucial spacing for several top teams. He joined the USA Men’s Junior World Championship Team in 2003 and the USA Basketball Under-21 Team in 2005. During his senior year at Duke, Redick was invited to Team USA workouts, where he built a strong relationship with coach K and encountered elite players like Bryant.
Kobe Bryant, a five-time champion with the Lakers, was notorious for his competitive nature and high standards. Throughout his 20-year career, he averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. For someone like Redick to provoke such a reaction from Kobe highlighted Redick’s deep understanding of the game, even as a young player.
Now, as the newest Lakers coach, Redick’s journey has come full circle. Although Kobe is no longer here to comment, it’s likely he would approve of Redick’s hire, given the respect he earned early in his career. Being a source of frustration for Kobe was a mark of honor, and Redick has gained the respect of many players, including LeBron James. Time will tell how Redick’s skills translate to coaching, but his track record suggests he’s up for the challenge.
