Kobe Bryant Considered Carmelo Anthony as Tougher Opponent Than LeBron James

For the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony was more difficult to guard as compared to LeBron James.

It was the second season after the Lakers had won the 2009/10 NBA title when Bryant was talking about how Melo was difficult to guard. In fact, Carmelo Anthony was the toughest to guard in the whole league as per Bryant.

“For me, yeah,” Bryant told in an interview in December 2012. “He’s always been a player that I enjoyed guarding the most. He was the most difficult because of his size and his speed.”

It was a comment coming from one of the most established players in the league. By then, Bryant was already a 12-time NBA All-Star and a five-time NBA Champion.

“Melo does it all and he’s as strong as a bull,” Bryant said. “For me, I weigh [180 pounds] soaking wet. Going up against that bull, man, it’s fun but it’s extremely challenging.”

LeBron James & Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA at the same time

The two players Bryant compared, James and Anthony, entered the NBA together in one of the most talented draft classes in the league’s history. The 2003 NBA Draft brought in players like Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

Cleveland Cavaliers picked James with the first overall pick while Anthony joined Denver Nuggets as the third overall pick in the draft. Both have had an illustrious career.

In latter stages of their respective career, James is playing for Los Angeles Lakers while Carmelo represents the Portland Trail Blazers. ‘King James’ along with Anthony Davis has led the Lakers to the top of the Western Conference this season before its suspension.

Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant, who was drafted in 1996, finished a legendary career in 2016. Earlier this year, he suffered an unfortunate death in a helicopter crash.