The NBA is a wonderful place. Not only is it the preferred home for many sports fans, it is also a choice many people into entertainment would make if they wanted to watch a sport. That is mainly because basketball has as much drama as your regular TV show.
If that is hard to believe, cast yourself back to April 2, 2002, when the Los Angeles Lakers were facing the New York Knicks. Kobe Bryant got into an actual fistfight with Knicks star Chris Childs.
The fight led to both players being suspended, although Childs was suspended for one extra game for instigating the interaction. It was big news, as Bryant had never been embroiled in a situation like that. Along with that, Childs was remembered for his previous altercations with Michael Jordan in the 90s.
Childs spoke about his fight with Bryant to TMZ and clarified that he and Kobe were on good terms after the incident.
“No, it was never, you know, it’s just something that happened. We let bygones be bygones… We always gave each other the head nod, you know, acknowledge the person, if we’re in LA working out.”
Childs also elaborated on his commitment to helping Kobe establish his legacy through his contributions to women’s basketball.
“It was just life after Basketball. Whatever he put his mind to, he gave it a 100% just like he did in Basketball. I think it’s a great tribute to him and his desire to succeed in whatever he puts his mind to. We gotta continue that journey that he was on. Not just at the moment, but let’s continue it 20-30 years down the line and leave his legacy with a thumbs up.”
However, Childs had to clarify the NBA players he actually doesn’t like and still has beef with. He named Michael Jordan and Tim Hardaway, who was recently announced for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“The only beef I had was with MJ and Tim Hardaway. Tim and I, we never see eye to eye to this day because he made some comments, I think last year, about if he saw me, we would fight. Like, come on man, you’re too old for that. If you wanna get busy, it’s not a problem as these hands are still active.“
Hardaway and Childs had a heated on-court rivalry when Tim was the point guard for the Miami Heat and Childs was on the Knicks. The teams had a gritty rivalry through the 90s, so it is not surprising to see the ill feelings exist to this day. Childs had said he and MJ had squashed their beef on his Twitter in 2021.
