Carmelo Anthony tried warning 2016 champ about Kobe Bryant - "You ain't gonna block that n***a shot"

Carmelo Anthony learned early in his career the threat that the legendary Kobe Bryant posed. Regarded as one of the greatest to ever grace the NBA, Bryant was a complete player and showed little mercy to his opponents. Anthony once tried to warn former teammate and 2016 NBA champion Iman Shumpert about Bryant's abilites, but it was a lesson Shumpert had to learn on his own.

During Tuesday's episode of the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Shumpert discussed trash talking Kobe Bryant, and how the plan to throw the former MVP off his game backfired. Shumpert started the game well, but Bryant had some words for his counterpart before the fourth quarter, and took in up a notch down the stretch.

"I don't know what happened after that? He was getting open, he was causing switches, he was setting back screens. He wouldn't sit still," Shumpert said. "He was dancing on us like it was nothing. But he was doing it to prove a point to me."

Carmelo Anthony couldn't help but chuckle when thinking back on the game. He recalled the exact moment he knew that Shumpert was in trouble:

"When he goes to Shump and says 'good job, good game, great game.' That means it's over. And I'm trying to get Shump to understand. ... You ain't gonna block that n***a shot."

The momentum turned after that stage with Bryant taking over the game. Shumpert admitted that he felt disrespected, but just could not find a way to keep up with the LA Lakers superstar. At one point, Anthony started referring to Shumpert as a "bunny rabbit" because he kept falling for Bryant's pump fakes.

Anthony and Shumpert developed a close relationship during their time together with the New York Knicks. They spent four seasons together in the Big Apple before Shumpert was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015. Shumpert won an NBA title in 2016 with the Cavs.

Carmelo Anthony's son Kiyan Anthony commits to Syracuse, set to follow in father's footsteps

Former NBA player Carmelo Anthony sits with his son Kiyan Anthony at a game at Madison Square Garden. Photo Credit: Imagn

Kiyan Anthony, the son of former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, is considered one of the top high school players in the nation. There was plenty of interest in the talented guard with Kiyan receiving offers from some of the top basketball programs in the country including Ohio State, Indiana, Illinois, Floirda State, Michigan and Tennessee.

On Nov. 15, Kiyan Anthony revealed on the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast that he would be commiting to Syracuse University, the same school his father attended.

Under legendary coach Jim Boeheim, Carmelo Anthony won the NCAA national championship with Syracuse in 2003, and is fondly remembered by their loyal fanbase for that memorable run. In 2013, his No. 15 jersey was retired by the program, making him one of just 17 players to receive the honor.