Kobe Bryant had a rough start to his career, but he eventually learned an important lesson in humility and teamwork from Byron Scott as the two-time NBA champion.
Kobe Bryant needed to learn a career-changing, interpersonal lesson from Byron Scott as a rookie. The Lakers’ head coach said that he did not want to be the player’s mentor and would rather teach them through their mistakes.
Despite the fact that he no longer plays basketball, Kobe Bryant maintains a reputation as a near-perfect NBA player. The Lakers legend was comparable to Michael Jordan in his time. Regardless of the challenge, he was able to triumph because to a mix of exceptional talent and an unwavering work ethic. But he wasn’t always the final product. Just ask Byron Scott what he thinks about it.
Kobe played with Scott in the early stages of his career, and he learned a lot from him. Even though one of them had nothing to do with basketball, it made all the difference.
Kobe Bryant had to learn to depend on his teammates early in his career.
Kobe Bryant (R) with head coach Byron Scott (L) during the 2014-15 Lakers season.| Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Bryant has amazing potential from the start. When he got to the NBA, he had to realize that he, too, had his limitations.
“On those early, seasoned Lakers teams, Kobe struggled to secure a little patch of land,” Jackie MacMullan observed on an edition of The Ringer’s Icons Club podcast. “[Jerry] West challenged him to think about how much less is more, but Kobe was pressed for time. “His mentality and selfish play became an issue with his teammates,” Byron Scott recalls.
Bryant didn’t fit in with his teammates off the court, according to the veteran guard. On the court, things weren’t any better, as the adolescent “was still more about Kobe than he was into the team.” Scott, on the other hand, was not going to stand by and watch. Instead, he gave the youngster some advise.
Scott spent endless hours chatting with Kobe in the film room and on the bench, according to Jackie Mac. The message, on the other hand, was less about basketball and more about developing connections.
Scott remembered, “It took him a bit to realize that, listen, dude, you need these folks.” “You have to realize, as amazing as you are, that you’re going to need them.” [Derek Fisher] will be required. Shaq will be required. Robert Horry will be required. You’re going to need [Rick] Fox’s help. “You’re going to need all of these people.”
Kobe seems to have learned his lesson and has improved as a teammate.
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We obviously don’t get to hear Kobe’s side of the story. However, based on what others have stated, we may deduce that he has learnt his lesson.
Antawn Jamison went to the radio in 2013 to discuss what it was like to play with Bryant. While there were some difficulties, the UNC product had a nice time in Hollywood.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMeniman, Jamison stated, “Kobe will tell you.” “He’s like, ‘Look, you guys shout at me as my teammates.’ ‘Let me know if you’re available because I’m so programmed,’ one man said, ‘I see nothing but that basket.’ You may be open, three men could be on me, but all I see is that basket, so you need to tell me, “Look, I was open.” Or shout at me in the middle of a game. That has no bearing on me, and I respect that.’
To be true, it doesn’t seem like the simplest dynamic to enter, but you can learn something from Scott’s comment. Bryant had evidently learned that his teammates could provide important viewpoints, even if it required a little shouting.
Jamison also spoke about what it was like to hang out with the Black Mamba after games. Again, it may not seem to be the healthiest relationship, but Kobe was definitely a team player.
Jamison said, “It’s nice to be around him.” “I like a player who has high expectations of his teammates. He is a motivator for his teammates. We’re traveling after the games, and the men are on their computers or iPads, watching movies or listening to music; this man is watching a movie. He’s dismantling situations. I’ll be watching a movie when he taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘Come here.’ ‘This is what we have to do, me and you have to get this moving,’ he’ll say. I mean, this man lives and breathes basketball, and his main goal is to win another championship, and I’ve never seen someone as focused and committed as Kobe.”
Byron Scott’s counsel may have helped the Lakers in 2021-22.
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When you hear Scott’s advise, it’s easy to get caught up with how to put it into practice on a personal level. However, there is something we can all learn from Kobe. Consider the Los Angeles Lakers’ most recent incarnation.
While Scott was referring to a specific player, we may consider Rob Pelinka and his teammates to be the Bryant in this circumstance. On the roster, they already had LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It seemed like adding Russell Westbrook would be enough to get them over the hump. Defensive stability and overall team depth were sacrificed in favor of talent.
However, as we all know, things did not go as planned. The Lakers were decimated by injuries, Westbrook’s general problems, and a dearth of game-changing skill beyond their three biggest stars. They didn’t even make the 2022 Play-In Tournament, and Frank Vogel was fired as a result. Unless there is a substantial roster overhaul, it’s difficult to see how things can get much better at this time.
While discussing team effort and role players may not seem exciting, it is crucial. You can only go so far on your own, whether you’re talking about athletics or life.
If Kobe Bryant has to learn that lesson, we can all learn from him.
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