Chris Childs v Kobe Bryant: The time the Black Mamba got a black eye

WITH Kobe Bryant’s recent retirement announcement, players have waxed eloquent about fond memories of the Lakers superstar in his prime.

WITH Kobe Bryant’s recent retirement announcement, players have waxed eloquent about fond memories of the Lakers superstar in his prime.

Not ex-Knicks guard Chris Childs, whose most vivid recollection of a young Bryant was nearly turning him into Rudy Tomjanovich.

Last week, Childs, in an appearance on Anthony Donahue’s Knicks Blog Radio, reminisced about the combative Knicks of the 1990s. He recalled his celebrated fight with Bryant 15 years ago at Staples Center that had then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson jogging onto the court to help prevent a brawl.

The date was April 2, 2000, during Bryant’s fourth season. Childs, a native of Los Angeles, recalls it as if it were yesterday. It was the afternoon Childs got fed up with Bryant’s off-the-ball shenanigans. According to replays, with Childs defending, Bryant threw a forearm up high away from the ball. Childs went into Bryant’s face, headbutted him in the chin and unleashed a right-left combination that connected with Bryant’s face.

Here’s the version Childs recalled on the show:

“He was a young player at the time. He had to challenge someone. I happened to be that guy.

“A couple of times going around screens, I played tight defence, it’s physical down there and he hit me with an elbow. I’m fine with that, but don’t do it above the shoulders.’’

Childs said he asked the officials: “Are you going to do anything about this? They put their hands up: ‘What you want me do?’

“‘No problem, I’ll take care of that.’ I said: ‘Young fella, do that again, there’s going to be a problem.’ [Kobe said]: ‘What are you going to do?’

Chris Childs is held back by the referee.

“We go around the pick and he hit me again. By that time, enough is enough. I’m back home. This young guy is trying me. I walk up to him — if you watch it, he hits me with a little shoulder. He’s 6-6. I’m 6-3 at the time. I got to get him off of me. I give him a little head nudge. From that point on, it’s game on. I took a few boxing lessons. I know how to defend myself.

“When I hit him, I didn’t want to hurt him. I knew he was an up-and-coming guy. I remember back in the day watching Kermit Washington hit Rudy T [with an infamous punch during a game in 1977]. I didn’t want to get that label of hurting a guy’s career. So I just happened to tap him and let him know you’re trying the wrong guy.’’

Bryant needed to be restrained by two referees and Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons. Childs was suspended two games. Afterwards, Bryant said, “The little punk decided to sneak-punch me,” and Shaquille O’Neal promised “payback.’’

It’s a new NBA now. Players get ejected for flagrant fouls that were considered harmless infractions back in Childs’ era. Still, Childs said the current Knicks aren’t tough enough.

“You have to let them know it’s your house,’’ Childs said. “I don’t see that grit.’’

This story originally appeared on the New York Post

Originally published as Chris Childs v Kobe Bryant: The time the Black Mamba got a black eye