Did you know that former NBA great Karl Malone and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant have beef? The two were teammates for a year back in ’04 when the Lakers were attempting to make what would be the final title run of the Kobe-Shaq era.
This was the season that saw the Lakers go down to the Pistons, the season that Kobe was dealing with his Colorado rape trial, all the while trying to infuse two Hall of Famers in Malone and Gary Payton.
The incident that allegedly set off the beef with Kobe and Karl centered on Mamba’s wife Vanessa. Kobe reportedly accused Malone of flirting with V and making inappropriate comments to her.
Malone made “several inappropriate comments” to Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, on Nov. 23 at a Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Kobe and Karl had a true friendship, much more than teammates,” Agent Rob Pelinka said. “Their wives are quite friendly as well. Kobe has told me that he feels very hurt and betrayed by what has happened.”
Malone allegedly told Vanessa he was going hunting for little Mexican girls:
Malone was asked by Vanessa Bryant, “Hey, cowboy, what are you hunting?” in reference to Malone wearing a cowboy hat and boots.
“She said it twice,” per Malone’s agent, “and Karl answered, ‘I’m hunting for little Mexican girls.’ “
11 years later, there’s still an issue. In a recent interview with Huffington Post, Malone said he and Kobe can throw blows to work out their differences.
“We had a little issue,” Malone told host Marc Lamont Hill. “I don’t hold grudges … I love Westerns. I’m old-school Western. Back in the day, when you had a beef, you didn’t go get guns and knives … we just go back in the back with no cameras and knuckle up. Get it over with.”
Hill pressed Malone if he offered Bryant that route to resolution.
“It’s a standing offer,” Malone said. “Look, I don’t want no trouble. I don’t have a problem. People say whatever they want to say and that’s great. I’m 6-9, 272 [pounds] to be exact. I’m not hard to find. I don’t want no trouble. But if something got to go down, I’m not playing fair.”
Welp… not too much else to say. Mamba, he’s around if you need the fade.
