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Carmelo Anthony Shares Heartfelt Instagram Post Honoring Kobe Bryant

By Alexander Wildes

Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant were great friends off the court.
Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant were great friends off the court. /

After the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, an immeasurable amount of athletes and celebrities honored Bryant in their own ways, each telling personal stories about how the Black Mamba affected their lives, or inspired them to become a better person.

And now, NBA star (and Bryant's Team USA teammate) Carmelo Anthony has joined in the remembrance cycle.

Anthony played against Bryant for 13 years in the NBA, and off the court, they had a great relationship. Two days since the untimely passing of Bryant, Anthony posted a heartfelt picture and caption detailing how much Bryant meant to him.

View this post on Instagram

Damn Bro!! ? I hate when I have so much to say, but I can’t put any of it into words. The times I have the most to say are the times that I can’t talk. I’m screaming inside but I can’t be heard. YOU don’t know how hard it is to try to pretend to smile when I have these clouds of emotions. YOU just called me and told me you were coming to the game Friday and that you were proud of me and “regardless of anything, stay true to myself and STAYME7O” We were just laughing about how hard YOU was working GiGi and her teammates and I told YOU they need a day off ?? This pain is almost unbearable Champ! Why you bro? Why GiGi? Why leave Vanessa with this Sadness and Pain. WHY? This will never make sense to me. I know I’m not suppose to question GODs Will. I know GOD doesn’t make mistakes. It just seems like It always rains the hardest on those who deserve the sun. There are moments in life when there’s simply NO words to describe the pain within. This is one of them. YOU will continue to be Loved. YOU will be missed. YOU will forever be remembered. YOUR legacy will live on FOREVER. OUR FRIENDSHIP will never be forgotten. I know YOU will be near, Even if I don’t see YOU. PEACE KING!!! “There Are No Goodbyes. Where Ever You’ll be, You’ll be in Our Hearts” All Praise Due #STAYME7O

A post shared by Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) on

Wow. What an extremely powerful message shared by Anthony.

Melo also spoke to the media after his game on Sunday, just a few hours after the passing of his close friend, and had this very moving interview describing how close he was with Bryant, how he found out about his passing, and the last conversation he had with him.

Anthony wasn't the only Portland Trail Blazer to honor the legend. The Blazers and the Indiana Pacers took a 24 second violation, then an 8 second violation to start their battle, in honor of Kobe's two numbers.

The outpouring of love and affection for Kobe from everybody is incredible, but it is even more touching when it comes from a close friend such as Anthony.