When Carmelo Anthony decided to stay with the New York Knicks despite the possibility of playing alongside Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, rumors started circulating that the small forward did not like to play with the superstar shooting guard.
In a report by CBS Sports, Melo said, "Hell no. Of course not. If I thought that [playing for the Lakers] was the right situation for me from an overall perspective as far as having a team there, then I would have looked at that situation more in-depth. I just felt more comfortable staying here in New York. But as far as playing with him ... I'm here now but I would always love to play with Kobe."
Anthony explained that he was good friends with Bryant and they had many casual conversations. His dealings with Kobe were not always about business and he said that he never felt pressured by the Lakers star.
Anthony said in the same report that, "He wasn't calling me every day and like, 'Get over here! I want you here! We had conversations about different situations whether it was in New York or in L.A., but it wasn't to the point where it was non-stop calling or texting or stuff like that."
In an ESPN report, Melo revealed that he ultimately chose to stay with the Knicks because he felt more comfortable staying in New York. He signed one of the biggest contracts in the NBA at present, valued at $124 million, for five years with the Knicks, and not because he did not want to play with Bryant.
Prior to his decision to stay with the Knicks, Anthony met with the Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets. The Lakers were the only other team to offer him a full maximum level contract. In the same ESPN report, there were speculations on what Anthony might be thinking after seeing a stronger Chicago Bulls form with the return of a healthy Derrick Rose and the recent transfer of Pau Gasol.
He said in a report by ABC 7 News, "No, my mindset is not even there right now. I am focused on building this thing in New York. I can't go out there and be kind of worried about them and saying, 'This is what I could have been.' I got to worry about my own situation here."