Carmelo Anthony Recalls Kobe Bryant’s Support When He Hit ‘Rock Bottom’ While Being Unsigned in NBA

Carmelo Anthony Recalls Kobe Bryant’s Support Amid Hitting ‘Rock Bottom’ While Being Unsigned in NBA

NBA star Carmelo Anthony went through a very dark period of his life and basketball career before signing with the Portland Trail Blazers last November. The 10-time NBA All-Star revealed he hit “rock bottom” during Monday’s (May 4th), The Uninterrupted’s ‘WRTS: After Party,’ chat with Sue Bird, Maverick Carter, and Paul Rivera. Carmelo Anthony says,

“I don’t think nobody will understand what I went through emotionally to get through and to be where I’m at today. I’m talking about doubting myself. I’m talking about mentally … wanting to give up.”

Carmelo Anthony continues,

“I hit rock bottom emotionally, and I had to build myself back up, basically by myself, to get here where I’m at today to be able to tell this story. So this season will always be one of the highlight chapters of any story that I’ll ever tell.”

While in an emotional down spiral, Carmelo says he reached out to two NBA superstars, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant during his controversial, one-year away from professional basketball.

“I would have to say either Kobe… It’s not either… It’s Kobe and LeBron as far as being the smartest basketball minds, intellectuals, know everything about the game. Know everything about each player, the ins and outs. Those two guys are at the top when it comes to the mental part of this game. Chris Paul is definitely one of those guys. I would have to say those three.”

Carmelo explained how quickly his career changed in the past four years.

“I go from New York, making the All-Star Game, averaging 22, 23 [points] in the Eastern Conference, dealing with everything that I was dealing with off the court, organizational structure, just everything I was dealing with in New York.”

Carmelo Anthony

He adds,

“Getting traded the day before media day to OKC. Going to OKC, actually really liking it, didn’t work out for whatever reason, to going to Houston the following year to playing nine games. The first time I’ve ever come off the bench in 15 years. Ever. So that was an adjustment for me. Leading to having a year off. A year off, trying to rebuild myself — emotionally, mentally, spiritually… I don’t think nobody will understand what I went through emotionally to get through and to be where I’m at today. I’m talking about doubting myself. I’m talking about mentally, wanting to give up. — Carmelo Anthony explaining the last four years.”

Carmelo was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA draft, third overall. The Syracuse legend played seven-plus seasons with Denver before being traded him to the New York Knicks in 2011 where he earned six straight All-Star campaigns. In 50 games played this season with the Blazers, Anthony was averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 32.5 minutes before the NBA hiatus.

As reported in December, he revamped this career earning the NBA Western Conference player of the week. In celebration, Anthony says he was motivated by his family.

“ALL PRAISE DUE To The Most High!!! Motivation; Hardwork + Patience + Family.”

Check out his interview below:

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