Blazers news: Carmelo Anthony speaks on Kobe Bryant's tragic death

Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the Blazers won vs. the Pacers but only a few people were in the mood to celebrate as Kobe Bryant's sudden passing loomed.

Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers played against the Indiana Pacers and won, 139-129. However, only a few people were in the mood to celebrate as Kobe Bryant's sudden passing loomed a heavy cloud over the Moda Center.

The team played solid basketball, and Anthony himself had a decent stat line of 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 rebounds in the win. However, he admitted after the game that he found it really difficult to play due to the heavy feeling left by Kobe's death.

Bleacher Report's Sean Highkin was present when Melo was asked about his feeling of playing in a world where Kobe Bryant doesn't exist anymore. He answered the question with a heavy feeling.

https://twitter.com/highkin/status/1221658403103072257

Melo entered the league during the peak years of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. His stardom blossomed during the Black Mamba's struggling years as a solo star and during his triumphant 2009 and 2019 titles. Anthony will be the first to tell you that Bryant is one of the best and fiercest competitors to ever lace them up.

His teammate Damian Lillard was equally devastated by Bryant's demise. The point guard, who finished with an incredible stat line of 50 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists, and a steal, said that he found it hard to justify a reason to even play the game.

It’s really sad. It’s really unfortunate. I don’t even know how we’re supposed to play this game tonight,” Lillard said, via Oregon Live. “It’s just one of those things that makes you sick to your stomach. It’s bigger than just our heroes and people we look up to dying. It’s deeper than that. It’s painful. It still feels like it’s not real, so I think everybody’s true emotions haven’t kicked in yet because it doesn’t seem real.”

Bryant died in a fatal helicopter crash that killed him and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Seven other people also died in the accident. The Bryant patriarch and daughter were supposed to be headed to the Mamba Sports Academy to coach a basketball camp while Gianna would be a participant.