Kobe Bryant was one of the most vicious competitors in the history of the NBA. Utilizing the smallest of weaknesses, the Black Mamba set up his strike. However, none of it would be possible without his big brother, Michael Jordan. Facing off against the prime Chicago Bulls, Bryant picked up many tricks that helped him climb the ladder.
The Bulls with Jordan had a flair about them that was unique. Having the best on both ends of the floor, the team looked unbeatable. After tasting victory just once, His Airness became obsessed. He found the motivation in anything. In addition, he found loopholes to get an upper hand on his opponents.
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As for Kobe, he picked up on those small things and added them to his winning arsenal. In his book, ‘Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality’, the Los Angeles Lakers broke down how Jordan and Dennis Rodman made use of dirty tactics on their road to success.
How Kobe Bryant became a winner by playing dirty
Addressing his intense battles with Jordan and the Bulls, Bryant’s curiosity helped him pick up all their tricks. Notably, in his book, Bryant spoke about Rodman’s smartness and awareness on the court. Playing in a physical era, the Worm used the blind spots to his advantage. Shoving became a major part of asserting his dominance over his rivals. And Kobe Bryant acknowledged him as a master of the game.
Impressed with the brains of Michael Jordan and Rodman, Kobe said: “He’s holding the crap out of me, but he knew how to get away with that. He had all sorts of little tricks that you couldn’t decipher on TV. You couldn’t see how he was holding or pushing or grabbing. Even if you could see it, TV didn’t do it justice. He’s one of the smartest basketball players I have ever played against or with.”?
Embracing the physical challenge, Kobe Bryant grew into a beast. Cruising his way to five career championships, the Mamba made his mentor proud. Despite falling one short of Michael Jordan, the 2008 MVP never let his fire die. He carried the tips right until the end of his illustrious 20-year NBA career.
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Bryant always had the hunger to win. However, it was arguably his willingness to decipher and learn from the greats which allowed him to become a true icon of the game. And having one of the greatest winners as his mentor was the icing on the cake. Without Michael Jordan, do you think one Bryant could have won five championships? Let us know your views in the comments below.
