‘Smiling Right Now’: Carmelo Anthony Explains How His Move to the Lakers Would Have Pleased Kobe Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed 37-year-old Carmelo Anthony during the off-season to bolster their roster for the coming season. 18-year NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony has finally gotten the opportunity to play alongside his friend LeBron James. Anthony has great respect for Kobe Bryant as well and that just makes his signing extra special for him.

Carmelo Anthony played alongside Kobe Bryant with the National Team. But they never played with each other in the NBA. Carmelo has previously talked about this relationship with Kobe Bryant.

He said that he has learned so much from Kobe during their National Team duty. Kobe helped him improve his game and their off-court relationship developed. Carmelo Anthony recently talked about Kobe during an interview to ‘The Undefeated’.

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Carmelo Anthony talks about Kobe Bryant

Anthony recently appeared in an interview on ‘The Undefeated‘. During the interview, he talked about joining the Lakers, teaming up with LeBron James. He also talked about the Lakers’ colors and paid tribute to the great Kobe Bryant.

“It’s different in a great way,” Anthony said of playing in Los Angeles.

“I was fortunate enough to play in New York, an organization in a big city, in a big market. But those colors are totally different. Blue and orange are different than purple and gold. Being in LA, you really feel that. I know my brother Kobe is smiling right now.”

Carmelo Anthony had a special relationship with Kobe Bryant. The duo met each other for the first time in 2003 when the Nuggets played the Lakers. Melo registered 24 points but it ended in a defeat for the Nuggets. Melo has appeared in four Olympics and played two Olympics with Kobe. Kobe helped him improve his game when he played on the national team. Carmelo is, in fact, the second-highest scorer in US Men’s Basketball history with 336 points.

Melo hasn’t played a single NBA game with the Lakers yet and he’s already mesmerized with the city and the franchise. While LeBron would have played an important role in his decision to join the Lakers, Kobe’s legacy is also clearly another reason for him to join.

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