Carmelo Anthony is a greater personal defensive challenge for Kobe Bryant than LeBron James.

"For me, yeah," Bryant said in an interview with ESPN. "He's always been a player that I enjoyed guarding the most. He was the most difficult because of his size and his speed."

James is known for his powerful build, but Bryant cited the physicality Anthony brings.

"Melo does it all and he's as strong as a bull," Bryant said. "Going up against that bull, man, it's fun but it's extremely challenging."