Kobe to Carmelo "Do What Makes You Happy"

With all the latest buzz regarding Carmelo Anthony's future with the Denver Nuggets (there is a rumored 17 player blockbuster trade brewing) Kobe Brynat, one of 'Melo's best friends in the NBA, has some advice to lend the pending free agent superstar. Per this story on newsday.com, Kobe says he has told Carmelo to "do what makes you happy". Here is a little of the story:

Anthony has been extremely careful with what he says and does, mainly because he wants to avoid the firestorm of criticism and backlash that met LeBron James when he left Cleveland for Miami last summer. But Bryant said Carmelo shouldn't be concerned about pleasing everyone.

" LeBron did it, and obviously, the way he went about it -- a lot of people off," Bryant said. "But the core of the decision was that he wanted to do what made him happy. I think Carmelo should do the same thing."

Granted, Carmelo has taken the high road in the media and repeatedly said that he has never requested a trade, but EVERYONE knows the chances of him being a Nugget for the 2011-2012 season are slim and none. I for one can't blame him as the Nuggets just don't seem to be able to get past the top teams in the west and an opportunity to play for the Knicks might be too good to pass up. The NJ Nets have been the team most actively pursuing Anthony and with them moving to Brooklyn soon that may not be a bad choice for Melo either, but they don't have the flair or complimentary star power offered by the Knicks (Amar'e Stoudemire is kinda good).

Kobe took a lot of heat back when he made trade demands before deciding to stay with the Lakers, but if you remember all he was saying was that he wanted the Lakers to be committed to improving their chances of competing. I wouldn't doubt Melo feels the same way but just doesn't see it happening in Denver. Either way, whoever lands Carmelo Anthony would be getting one of the top scorers in the league, hands down.

And as long as Carmelo is happy with his decision that is all that really matters, right? Unless you're a Nuggets fan (but nobody really cares about them anyway)

-ALR