Bell 'genuinely hated' Bryant during playing days

Former NBA guard Raja Bell and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant got into many scuffles during their playing days and it was evident both players didn't like each other.

The Lakers and Phoenix Suns had a budding rivalry from 2005-08 and Bell and Bryant were at the center of it. During the 2006 playoffs, Bell was suspended for a game in that series after clotheslining Bryant— then again the next year. Bryant famously said he had “bigger fish to fry” than Bell when asked about it.

Bryant had beefs with a lot of players during his storied career, but this was personal with Bell, who says he "genuinely hated" Bryant at the time.

"I don’t know how Kobe felt, but I genuinely hated the cat at that time," Bell told Drew Ruiz of Hoops Hype. "I really didn’t like him."

But it turns out Bell and Bryant's hatred for one another was strictly on the court, as Bell says he and Bryant have connected a few times since they both retired.

"The coolest part about it for me was once the time had passed and I saw him the next time, we started to develop a little bit of respect," Bell told Ruiz. "There was a relationship that started to develop. We never became besties or anything like that, but there was a time when I’d reach out and see if he needed anything or somewhere to be for Thanksgiving if they were in town or I’d ask about his family and just check in. I felt that was pretty cool. That was my favorite part about that whole thing. There seemed to be a respect level that we got to and when you can say you did that with one of the best players of all time that’s pretty cool for me."

This is how it usually goes with players in the league. During their playing days, certain players will have a rivalry with another player, but it usually dies down over time and eventually both guys are able to at least respect each other off the court and exchange pleasantries.