Kobe Bryant 'couldn't stand' incoming Lakers coach JJ Redick, ex-NBA star Carmelo Anthony recalls
- J.J. Redick and Kobe Bryant crossed paths at Team USA basketball camp
- READ MORE: Redick 'agrees to become Lakers coach, will sign four-year deal'
JJ Redick has reportedly agreed to become the Lakers' new coach, but he once clashed with a franchise legend according to ex-NBA star Carmelo Anthony.
Redick tried out for Team USA's Olympic squad in 2008 and apparently received some tough treatment from Kobe Bryant, as Anthony said the Lakers icon 'couldn't stand' the Duke product.
Anthony explained on his '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast along with The Kid Mero how Bryant went particularly hard on Redick, who was connected to then-USA coach Mike Krzyzewski from their time together at Duke.
'The moral of the story is Kobe took it personal on JJ Redick in practice, because he got tired of [how] Coach K kept talking about JJ Redick,' Anthony said, via the NY Post.
'Kobe took it very, very personally, 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.'
Kobe Bryant was allegedly not a fan of J.J. Redick when they crossed paths at USA camp
'I'm like, 'Damn why you treating the young boy like that?''
Anthony shared that Bryant told him, 'Coack K keeps talking about this motherf***er. He come up here to do something. F** this motherf***er I'm a show you today.'
Redick ultimately did not make the 2008 Olympic roster, while Bryant and Anthony helped lead the team to a gold medal in Beijing.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Redick plans to sign a four-year deal with the Lakers as their new head coach.
The 39-year-old has been working as one of ESPN's lead NBA analysts, and he also co-hosts a podcast with Lakers star LeBron James .
Carmelo Anthony revealed the story on his '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast with The Kid Mero
The Lakers tried to lure Dan Hurley away from Connecticut but the reigning NCAA champion coach declined the team's reported $70 million offer.
Redick will make $8 million per season with the Lakers, The Athletic is reporting.
The likes of Charlotte Hornets assistant James Borrego, Boston Celtics assistant Sam Cassell and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman also interviewed for the job, according to ESPN.
This is Redick's first pro NBA coaching position.
