Melo to Kobe: D'Antoni Plays No D! Kobe to Melo: When Have You Played D?

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

http://www.complex.com/sports/2012/1...oaching-skills

The struggles of Mike D'Antoni as coach of the New York Knicks are well documented. If you were looking to pinpoint a specific reason, it would be a difficult task. However, one problem that does stick out is Knicks' ineffectiveness on the defensive end. And when looking at what Walt Frazier would call the Knickerbockers' "swiss cheese defense," one major issue was Carmelo Anthony and his inability to commit to anything outside of the offensive side of the ball.

So when the Lakers hired Mike D'Antoni early this morning, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reflected on the deal in a piece that had some interesting information, including this funny story involving Melo and Bryant, who were discussed D'Antoni shortly after his departure from the Knicks.

When Anthony grumbled to Bryant about D'Antoni's defensive acumen on a trip to Los Angeles before the coach's resignation in New York, one witness says Bryant shot back to Anthony – only half-kidding – that, seriously, when the hell have you ever played defense?

Kobe's got jokes! Maybe that conversation has been the catalyst in Anthony's new-found dedication to both the offensive and defensive end.

[justinnum1]

[Hawkeye15]

Kobe is right on haha.

[Cal827]

In before some Knick fan gets mad, and uses the Knick's season thus far to justify Melo playing defense for his whole career.

[Ebbs]

How is this a story. A witness heard Kobe and Melo joking about this for real?

[justinnum1]

In before some Knick fan gets mad, and uses the Knick's season thus far to justify Melo playing defense for his whole career.

[Giants #1 Fan]

This is so old, but still funny.

Hopefully Kobe passes the ball. System requires a lot of ball movement.

[Hawkeye15]

This is so old, but still funny.

Hopefully Kobe passes the ball. System requires a lot of ball movement.

there would have been some chirps had Melo retorted with that. Neither like to share...

[More-Than-Most]

I now love Kobe...Sorry but that is a ****ing burn

[thephoenixson28]

Hahaha true. Diantoni didn't succeed in New York cuz he didn't have a pass first point guard, and when he did with Felton he had success.

[Im_in_Mia_bish]

lol

[Giants #1 Fan]

there would have been some chirps had Melo retorted with that. Neither like to share...

That's why it didn't work in NY, Melo has glue hands. Kobe just flats out doesn't pass the ball.

[97NYer]

He has every right to say that he has years of experience on Melo and Melo was known to not play defense. That being said, though, Melo's defense has actually been well above average this season and last season.

[LA_Raiders]

lol,

[Giants #1 Fan]

He has every right to say that he has years of experience on Melo and Melo was known to not play defense. That being said, though, Melo's defense has actually been well above average this season and last season.

Up until this year Melo hasn't even say the word defense more less play some