"Kobe couldn't stand JJ Redick"- Carmelo Anthony revisits age old tussle between Kobe Bryant and Lakers coaching candidate
While Kobe Bryant and JJ Redick were competing for a spot on Team USA, according to Carmelo Anthony, Bryant had it out for Redick. After hearing Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski talk up Redick, a college student at the time, the always-competitive Bryant upped his level during Team USA tryouts.
Of course, the pair went on to have a competitive rivalry of their own and played against one another in the NBA Finals. Despite that, because of Coach K's praise for Redick after coaching him at Duke, Kobe Bryant wanted to test the young sharpshooter.
When the two suited up for Team USA tryouts, despite Redick being six years younger than Bryant, the Black Mamba didn't hold back. According to Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant took the game to Redick, fouling him and denying him the ball.
During an episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast released on Thursday, Carmelo Anthony spoke about the situation, recalling how Kobe Bryant treated JJ Redick.
"Kobe couldn't stand JJ Redick ... Kobe took it personal against JJ Redick in practice because he got tired of Coach K kept talking about JJ Reddick, right? 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**t out JJ.
"I'm like, damn, why you treating a young boy like that? 'F**k that m**********r,' I'm like, what's the problem? What's the problem? 'Coach K keep talking about this m**********r He coming up here to do something. I'm gonna show you today.' This m**********r ain't let let JJ Redick score in practice."
Looking at JJ Redick's side of his Team USA workout with Kobe Bryant following Carmelo Anthony's story
While JJ Redick hasn't spoken about Kobe Bryant hazing him during Team USA workouts, he has spoken about his time working out for Team USA. Back in March, Redick recalled how he participated in Team USA workouts when he was a senior at Duke.
Although he didn't discuss the fierce competitive battle with Bryant recalled by Carmelo Anthony, he did open up about Bryant's work ethic. In one instance, Redick recalled how Team USA Coach Johnny Dawkins was left exhausted by the Black Mamba's 6 AM workouts.
In addition, Redick also revealed that after his first day of practice with Team USA, Kobe Bryant asked him to get some practice in together. Rather than simply working out together, however, Bryant took the opportunity to study Redick's shooting form given his 42.1% three-point percentage in college.
As Redick explained, the Black Mamba was studying every unique element of his shot, from how he caught the ball to how he positioned his feet. As Redick explained, the two examples highlight his work ethic, and Bryant's desire to learn and improve.
While the pair went on to have a fierce showdown in the NBA Finals years later, Redick both admired and respected Bryant.