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Kobe Wanted Melo in Lakers, Melo Wants Kobe for 2016 Olympics

By William Lee

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The 37 year-old five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant has recently announced that he will retire after this season on The Players’ Tribune‎ post titled Dear Basketball.

There were lots of reaction across the league about the first-ballot Hall of Famer’s announcement, including former-teammate and current New York Knick Sasha Vujacic; who believes that Kobe would be bored with retirement and would return.

Carmelo Anthony gave his first reaction to Bryant’s retirement announcement and said it is an end of an era, as per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.

"“Oh man, just to see that era coming to an end… it’s going to come one day. We’re all going to see that light at the end of the tunnel. He sees it right now,”“It’s sad but this day comes for everybody.”"

Sad day indeed…

Anthony also revealed that Bryant wanted them to play together on the Los Angeles Lakers.

"“He did. Kobe did. He wanted it to happen,”“I don’t know who was going to be part of that deal. There was a lot of talk of (Andrew) Bynum, Lamar Odom and Nene. There was a lot of talk during that time. For some reason I was always connected with the Lakers… Maybe it was just Kobe behind closed doors.”"

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Kobe wanted to play with Anthony but the owner’s son refused to part with the necessary assets to get a trade done. In 2011 there were trade discussions centered around exchanging Anthony and Andrew Bynum, but was reportedly rejected by Jim Buss. Buss had a huge attachment to Bynum, it was Buss who persuaded the Lakers to draft the young big man with the tenth overall selection in the 2005 NBA draft.

Even though Anthony never got to don the purple and gold with Kobe, he did however get to play with the “Black Mamba” during his time with the Men’s USA Basketball team. Anthony says that he would love to get another chance to play with Bryant in the upcoming Olympic games.

"“I would love to have him over there,”“This season is tough for him. For him to be with us and Rio and end it like that would be a good way to go out.”"

It really would be a perfect ending to a career as spectacular as Kobe Bryant’s. Anthony went on and raved about how much he learned from Bryant during his past Olympic experiences.

"“For me, and I can only speak for myself, I would have loved to have played with Kobe. I got my opportunity twice with the Olympics. I’ll take that.”“I’ll take being able to go out there and learn from him from a mental perspective. How he approaches the game, how he sees the game, how he breaks down the game, his knowledge of the game. How he was able to help me and almost be a mentor, a big brother to me. We became close at those two Olympics.”"

“Big brother” huh? It would seem that the two got along and became close during their time in the Olympics. Anthony for one truly treasures their friendship and bond.

"“Him accepting me as a friend and as a brother because he didn’t have too many people he talked to,”“If he liked you, he loved you. If he didn’t it was a problem. So I’m glad I was on the good side of that.”"

Carmelo Anthony Interview: Praising Kobe Bryant on and off the court.

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With the Kobe Bryant Farewell Tour officially on the way, there are sure to be great stories everywhere the Lakers go. Unfortunately the New York City metro area just missed out on the tour as the Lakers passed by earlier in November.

In Kobe’s last game at Madison Square Garden, the “Black Mamba” finished the game with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Although, Anthony and the Knicks were the victors. Anthony bested Bryant with a 24 points and 8 rebounds effort.

Kobe Bryant (Last MSG Game) Vs. Carmelo Anthony Full Highlights

Next: Sasha Vujacic: Kobe Bryant Will Be Bored With Retirement

The final time the Knicks will see Bryant in action will be March 13, 2016. It will be must-see television!

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