In Kobe Bryant’s world, you must earn respect. This is the reality for competitors going against the five-time NBA champion and the entry point into a friendship with the man they call Black Mamba.
Carmelo Anthony experienced Bryant’s fierce spirit firsthand. During a matchup in the Mile High City when Anthony suited up for the Nuggets, the two men exchanged hard fouls and aggressive play for a span of 2-3 arduous minutes. This was the test.
“And, I remember him coming to me and saying, ‘Man you gained my respect, you earned my respect, just from that simple fact that I do that to a lot of people and they back down and you didn’t back down.’”
Remembering the moment fondly, Anthony then paused and smiled in an exclusive interview with Knicks.com, “It was a great honor for me.”
Numerous physical encounters on the floor and a 2009 Western Conference Finals gave birth to a friendship that has now blossomed over the years to a point where Anthony feels comfortable enough to call Bryant his big brother.
Considering the perception of Bryant early in his career, the fact that he has developed friendships with the league’s brightest stars is somewhat surprising. After entering the NBA straight of high school, the narrative surrounding Bryant was an aloof 18-year old in search of his own stardom. Of course, the well-documented clashes with Shaquille O’Neal seemed to add fuel to the fire and place Bryant on an island. Fast forward to 2016 and every arena in the NBA is celebrating Bryant’s brilliance on the court while Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul show support, admiration, and a clear friendship that exists between the All-Stars.
“I think right now he is realizing the impact that he can have on the game, the impact that he wants to leave and he has the opportunity to do that right now,” Anthony explained. “I think before it was just him kind of locked into perfecting his craft and that was his focus, it wasn’t about anything else, just being great and how he can be great, staying in the gym, you know he dedicated his life to the game of basketball. And, I think now, putting all that into perspective the way that the game is going the younger the guys that are coming in he has the opportunity to, I don’t want to say pass the torch but teach them in a different way.”
The two prolific scorers solidified their friendship during two successful gold medal runs in the Olympics in Beijing and London. Among a cast of stars, Anthony and Bryant joined forces against international competition while discovering they are similar athletes on and off the floor. Both players carry a tremendous responsibility in major markets to represent their franchise and deliver on a nightly basis with all eyes focused on their every move.
“We are kind of relatable in that sense a little bit,” Anthony acknowledged. “That is something that we always talk about, you know how to accept everything that comes your way whether it’s good or bad or indifferent. You have to be the one to stand up to it when things are going great, stand up to it, accept it. When things are going bad, stand up to it and accept it. And, that’s some thing that I’ve learned how to deal with better over the years.”
After passing the test early in his career, Anthony will now meet Bryant for the final time in Los Angeles. The battles over the years revealed the two are kindred spirits and they share a deep friendship beyond the game of basketball.