The Los Angeles Lakers recently announced the hiring of J.J. Redick as the team’s new head coach, a move that has generated mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.

However, one person who would have had a strong opinion on this decision is the late Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant. According to Carmelo Anthony, Bryant harbored a significant dislike for Redick during their time together in practices.

In a candid discussion on his podcast, Anthony shared an anecdote that highlighted the tension between Bryant and Redick.

“I remember Kobe couldn’t stand J.J. Redick,” Anthony recounted. “I hope somebody vouches for me on this story, I swear to God, if anybody was on that, they know.

” The moral of the story is Kobe took it personal against J.J. Redick in practice, because he got tired of how Coach K kept talking about J.J. Redick.”

Anthony elaborated on the intensity of Bryant‘s feelings, describing how Bryant would go out of his way to make things difficult for Redick in practice.

“Kobe took it very, very personal to the point where he was running through screens in practice, he was denying J.J. the ball, he was fouling the s- out of J.J. I’m like, ‘Damn, why are you treating the young boy like that?'”

Bryant’s response to Anthony’s query was blunt and revealing: “F*** that mother***er.”

Why did Bryant dislike Redick?

The root of Bryant’s animosity seemed to stem from the high praise Redick received from coach Mike Krzyzewski, a coach whom Bryant greatly respected.

Whether Bryant felt the praise was premature or undeserved is unclear, but it certainly fueled a fierce competitive fire.

This revelation adds a layer of intrigue to Redick‘s new role with the Lakers.

Would Bryant’s opinion of Redick have softened had he known that the young player he once clashed with would someday become the head coach of the team he loved? It’s a question that will remain forever unanswered.

Bryant‘s intense competitive nature and high standards for those around him are well-documented, and this story shared by Anthony is yet another testament to those traits.

As Redick steps into his new role, he carries with him the weight of expectations from a franchise steeped in history and the legacy of legends like Bryant.