Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant shared so much in common. Not only were they fierce competitors on the basketball court and champions, but Jordan and Bryant also had the same trainer in Tim Grover.
Kobe Bryant Didn’t Have a Draft Party With Friends and Family After Getting Drafted and Went to the Gym Instead to Work Out
The Charlotte Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft on June 26, 1996. Bryant was the best high school player in the country and went straight to the NBA from Lower Merion in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Kobe Bryant’s Former Teammate Asked Him to Bail Him out of a ‘Steep’ Gambling Debt in 1 of Their Final Conversations Before Bryant’s Death
Before Kobe Bryant’s tragic death, his former Lakers teammate requested his help. It was ultimately one of their final conversations, too. This is a look at Kobe Bryant’s success with that former teammate, what they needed help with, and what their career looked like after leaving Bryant and the Lakers.
The Lakers Were Immediately Shut Down After Attempting to Offload Kobe Bryant to Acquire LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers once attempted to trade star guard Kobe Bryant to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for LeBron James.
Michael Jordan Is Making Kobe Bryant’s Dream Come True With a Touching Tribute
Kobe Bryant always dreamed of Michael Jordan introducing him into the Hall of Fame, and next month, the Lakers great will get his wish.
Kobe Bryant Received an Unforgettable Retirement Gift From a World-Famous Rapper and Lakers Superfan
When Kobe Bryant retired in 2016, he received an unforgettable, personalized gift from Lakers superfan and world-famous rapper Snoop Dogg.
Kobe Bryant Nearly Fought a Famous Rapper Until an NBA Veteran-Turned-Reality Star Intervened
NBA legend Kobe Bryant had many great teammates on the LA Lakers. In fact, one famous teammate, who later became a reality TV star, even reportedly kept him from fighting a famous rapper. This is a look at Kobe Bryant’s famous teammate, the rapper he almost fought, and how Bryant didn’t remember the altercation.
Shaquille O’Neal Reportedly Threatened to ‘Murder’ Kobe Bryant After a Scathing Interview
While Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant found plenty of success on the basketball court, they didn’t aways see eye-to-eye.
Kobe Bryant Didn’t Eat for a Week After Magic Johnson Announced His HIV Diagnosis
Kobe Bryant grew up a Magic Johnson and LA Lakers fan, so it was a special honor for Bryant to play for the Lakers his entire career and win five NBA championships.
Kobe Bryant Attempted to Bring an NBA Legend to the Lakers but Received a Firm Rejection Instead: ‘It Would Feel Super Weird’
Kobe Bryant had a ton of success with the Lakers. However, he maybe could have had a little more success had an NBA legend joined him. This is a look at Bryant’s career on the Lakers, how he tried recruiting an NBA legend to LA, and how the two players almost teamed up before that.
Kobe Bryant Received 1 Last Motivation to Fuel His Legendary Final NBA Game
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s unforgettable performance in his final NBA game was driven by a single factor.
The Julius Randle-Kobe Bryant Story Told During the Knicks-Lakers Matchup Is Chilling in the Most Incredible Way
The story of how Kobe Bryant is still inspiring his former Lakers teammate, Julius Randle, who has the Knicks in the playoff hunt, is incredible.
Kobe Bryant Scored 63 Points as an 8-Year-Old by Mastering a Skill He Learned From His Father
Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in NBA history. He won five championships and two Finals MVPs with the LA Lakers and is universally recognized as the second-best shooting guard ever behind Michael Jordan.
Kobe Bryant Attributed His Success To a Controversial Mentor Who Never Played Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant attributed much of his success to Michael Jackson, a close friend and a controversial figure.
Kobe Bryant’s Dad Once Punched Him and Made Him Cry for Refusing to Run Sprints
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, once punched him and made him cry at a prestigious high-school camp for refusing to run.
Kobe Bryant Earned $328 Million in the NBA but Honored His Philadelphia Roots Every Game
Even in his final years with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant paid tribute to his alma mater — Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia — every night.
Gonzaga Legend Adam Morrison Received the Most Heartwarming Gift From Kobe Bryant During the Lowest Point of His Life
After Adam Morrison’s disappointing NBA career came to an end, he received a personalized gift from Kobe Bryant that cheered him up.
Kobe Bryant’s Biggest Pet Peeve Started With a Gross Childhood Experience: ‘I Hate Dog Sh*t’
Kobe Bryant found fame and fortune as a global star, but he still had a relatable pet peeve.
Charles Barkley Throws Shade Toward Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James While Gushing Over James Harden
Charles Barkley somehow found a way to shade Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James while praising James Harden.
Kobe Bryant’s Relationship With Michael Jordan Was Summed up in 1 Question He’d Frequently Ask an ESPN Reporter
LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had a special relationship with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. It was all summed up in one question that Bryant would frequently ask ESPN reporter Michael Wilbon any time he had a big game, too.
Giving up on Kobe Bryant Wasn’t Mike Krzyzewski’s Worst Recruiting Mistake at Duke
Kobe Bryant said Mike Krzyzewski persisted in recruiting him out of high school in Pennsylvania, but the Duke Blue Devils coach doesn’t remember it that way.
Ohio State Guard Duane Washington Jr. Had a Deep Connection With Kobe Bryant Thanks to His 5-Time NBA Champion Uncle
Duane Washington Jr. has become a star for the Ohio State Buckeyes’ men’s college basketball team. His basketball roots, though, actually connected him with NBA and LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, as Washington’s uncle won five NBA championships with him.
Kevin Durant Says He Had ‘Beef’ With Kobe Bryant That the ‘Black Mamba’ Never Knew About
Kevin Durant says he had ‘beef’ with the late, great Kobe Bryant early in his NBA career that the ‘Black Mamba’ never knew about.
Kobe Bryant Nearly Had a Dreaded Rival Become His Head Coach on the Lakers
Kobe Bryant could have played for Doc Rivers, his future rival, if the Los Angeles Lakers got their way in the spring of 2004.
Vanessa Bryant Has a Chance to Right a Wrong From the Tragic Death of Her Husband Kobe Bryant
Vanessa Bryant can’t undo the tragic death of her husband Kobe, but she did win a significant legal battle over his fatal accident.
Kobe Bryant Made a Heartwarming (and Later Heartbreaking) Gesture to Shaquille O’Neal After the Duo Shared MVP Honors at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
Former Lakers teammates Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant shared a special moment after sharing MVP honors at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.
Michael Jordan Held a $30 Million Trump Card for Nearly 20 Years Until Kobe Bryant Stole it
Michael Jordan held a $30 million trump card over the rest of the NBA for almost two decades before Kobe Bryant finally stole it from him.
Who Has the Most Career Points in the NBA All-Star Game?
A look at the all-time overall leading scorers in NBA All-Star Game history.
Kobe Bryant Revealed His Plans for an NBA Future Involving Michael Jordan to Seth Davis as a High School Senior
When he was still in high school, Kobe Bryant told a Seth Davis about his NBA plans involving Michael Jordan.
Dennis Rodman Got So Sick of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Arguing Went on a Bender in Vegas
Dennis Rodman was no stranger to locker room drama. However, even he had a hard time dealing with the arguing between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Devin Booker Gained Kobe Bryant’s Respect by Using His Signature Move Against Him
As Kobe Bryant wrapped up his 20th and final season, Devin Booker finished his first. It was the beginning of a brotherly friendship.
Michael Jordan Always Thought the Lakers and Kobe Bryant Made a Big Mistake Getting Rid of Shaquille O’Neal
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were both very similar players that didn’t settle for anything less than greatness. But did Bryant make a big mistake?
Kevin Garnett Addresses His Flaws, Kobe Bryant, and Reveals Why He Was an ‘A-Hole’ on the Court
NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett speaks about his flaws, Kobe Bryant, and why he was an “a-hole” on the basketball court.”
Kobe Bryant Could’ve Learned a Lot From How Michael Jordan Managed His Relationship With Dennis Rodman
Kobe Bryant’s competitive drive aligned with Michael Jordan’s notoriously stringent philosophy. But they differed regarding teammates.
Kyrie Irving’s Air-Balled His Idea To Honor Kobe Bryant
Kyrie Irving has curious reasoning for replacing Jerry West with Kobe Bryant on the official NBA logo.
Kobe Bryant Inspired More Than Just Elite Athletes
While many athletes have expressed how Kobe Bryant inspired them to do better, his legacy goes beyond the basketball court.
Kobe Bryant Inspired an Unknown NBA Journeyman Into a Budding Star
Kobe Bryant touched the lives on almost every basketball player on the planet. The lessons he taught inspired one NBA journeyman to continue to grow.
Kobe Bryant Tried to Help Derrick Rose Win a Championship Before He Tragically Passed Away
Before he passed away in a helicopter crash in January of 2020, LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant tried to help Derrick Rose win a championship.
Naomi Osaka Received Powerful Advice From Kobe Bryant Before He Passed Away Which She Uses Every Day
Naomi Osaka was deeply impacted by the tragic death of LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. The two were very close, as Bryant was one of Osaka’s mentors.
Whatever Happened to Vitaly Potapenko, the Player Drafted 1 Pick Ahead of Kobe Bryant in 1996?
Vitaly Potapenko was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers one pick ahead of Kobe Bryant in 1996. How did his career end up and where is he now?
Michael Jordan Is So Competitive That He Once Tried To Trash-Talk Kobe Bryant During a Friendly Dinner
Michael Jordan was willing to talk trash to anyone at any time, including Lakers legend Kobe Bryant during a friendly dinner.
The World Just Received a Heartbreaking Update on Kobe Bryant’s Tragic Death
Over a year after Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s tragic death, federal officials just provided a heartbreaking update about the helicopter crash.
Kobe Bryant Never Wanted the Nuggets to Win a Playoff Series Against Him Because of George Karl
Kobe Bryant had many battles with the Nuggets. The Lakers icon never lost to them, and the Denver franchise may have George Karl to blame for that.
Travis Kelce Has Earned More Than $30 Million With the Chiefs and Also Relied on Kobe Bryant to Help Him Win Money Gambling in Vegas
Travis Kelce has become a rich man with the Chiefs. Kobe Bryant potentially helped him get even richer during a trip Kelce took to Vegas.
Kobe Bryant Almost Landed With Another Team on Draft Night That Would’ve Made Lakers Fans Sick
Kobe Bryant is considered one of the greatest Lakers of all time, but he was nearly drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1996.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Once Received a Massive Piece of Career-Changing Advice From Kobe Bryant
These days, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is an inescapable presence in the world of sports. Kobe Bryant at least partially played a hand in that…
Kobe Bryant Once Nearly Got Into a Fight With a Teammate Over $100
During his legendary career with the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant established himself as one of the most ruthless competitors in NBA history. The Black Mamba was always out for blood.
How Close Was Kobe Bryant to Following in Michael Jordan’s Footsteps and Playing for the Bulls?
Kobe Bryant spent his entire career with the Lakers. Only Bulls legend Michael Jordan is ahead of Bryant in the all-time shooting guard rankings.
LeBron James and the Lakers Found a Unique Way to Honor Kobe Bryant
Almost a year since Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing, star forward LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are honoring him a unique way.
Kobe Bryant Had a Very Special Guest in Attendance When He Dropped 81 Points on the Raptors
During the 2005-06 season, LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant scored 81 points at Staples Center against the Toronto Raptors.
A Young Kobe Bryant Felt Insulted by Michael Jordan’s Advice
Kobe Bryant initially misunderstood Michael Jordan’s advice about staying aggressive when the Los Angeles Lakers star was just 19 years old.