Anthony Davis: Kobe Bryant 'took me under his wing' during Olympics
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said he enjoyed playing with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant during the 2012 Olympics, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Davis and Bryant were teammates on the United States team that won the gold medal during the London Olympics. Davis was the youngest player on the team at 19, while Bryant was the oldest at 33.
“That whole Olympic experience, he kind of took me under his wing and showed me a lot about the game and a lot about hard work,” said Davis, the only college player on a team that beat Spain in the gold-medal game.
“He’ll bring the competitive nature out in everybody,” he added. “Any good team that has Kobe on the team is in it to win it. That was my first time [meeting him]. I loved every moment of it.”
• GOLLIVER: Anthony Davis highlights dream Slam Dunk Contest field
Earlier this season, Bryant complimented Davis as a more athletic version of former Lakers teammate PauGasol. Davis has carried the Pelicans to a 20-21 record this season, averaging 24.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.5 steals while shooting 56.1 percent from the field.
Bryant, who has sat out eight games this season to rest, is averaging 22.6 points, 5.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 37.2 percent from the field. The Lakers have the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 12-30.
• GOLLIVER: All-Ignored Team: Most slighted players in ASG voting
The Pelicans host the Lakers on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
- Paul Palladino
