John Wall recalls Kobe Bryant schooling him the hard way: “First time I played Kobe, I was like, damn”
John Wall discussed his troubles guarding Kobe Bryant on Tuesday’s episode of “Cold As Balls” with Kevin Hart.
Wall has been in the NBA since 2010. He played against Bryant during the first six seasons of his career.
Kobe Bryant is one of the most popular picks for players who recall their toughest opponents. The 'Mamba Mentality' was different. Especially when you experience it first hand as an opponent.
Wall was selected first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. He has been selected to five NBA All-Star Games and won the Slam Dunk contest in 2014. The LA Clippers point guard has always been a reliable player when healthy.
Kevin Hart asked John Wall:
“Was there a moment where you had to stop and embrace the people that you would be playing against?”
Without hesitation, Wall answered:
“Every time I played Kobe, I was like, “Damn, I’m guarding the mamba.”
Kobe Bryant finished his career as a five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star. He was also selected to 15 All-NBA teams and 12 All-Defensive teams.
Bryant won the MVP Award in 2008, and two NBA Finals MVP Awards in 2009 and 2010.
On top of that, Bryant led the league in scoring twice. He ranks fourth all-time in regular season and post-season scoring.
John Wall recalls a moment in one of his games against Bryant:
“I blocked his shot and I tried to run to half court to get the ball. He got the ball back and made a three and was like ‘the play going young fella’”
Past recollections of guarding Kobe Bryant from leagues stars
Stars such as LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, and Steph Curry have fond memories of playing against Kobe Bryant.
Bryant never wavered from his 'mamba mentality'. From his attitude towards the press, his conditioning, and dedication to working on his game. He hit the gym right before games and then immediately after. He lived and breathed basketball.
We have seen a plethora of talent in the league over the last decade. Even the biggest stars are in awe of Kobe Bryant’s work ethic.
Kyrie Irving recalls:
“The first game I played against Kobe … I remember most just watching somebody that I literally grew up watching on YouTube”
Damian Lillard, one of the best clutch shooters in the league, mentions:
“I remember just watching him, you know, just like, I’m really about to line up against Kobe”
Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green recalls:
“The thing that stood out most for me about playing Kobe that first time was his pre-game warm up. Why is he working out at 4 o’clock and its a 7:30 game? By the time I finished watching his workout … I had missed everything.
"That was just a moment like in my life where it was like I’m sitting here watching Kobe. Nothing else mattered”
Steph Curry shares a story about Kobe Bryant from his rookie season:
“I got switched onto him in an iso situation. I’m scronny, 170 pound rookie coming in. The look he gave me was so damn disrespectful it was crazy”
Kevin Durant admired Bryant's mindset:
“He was just stoned face, straight killer mode the whole game”
Kyle Lowry feels that Bryant had the mental advantage over his opponents:
“I can tell you he beat the living sh*t outta me without even having the ball”
LeBron James is often compared to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in the 'greatest of all-time' discussions. Even he felt star struck sharing the floor with the 'Black Mamba'.
“I was just in awe”
Steve Kerr, one of the best coaches in the game, recalls playing against a young Bryant.
Kerr brings us a unique story about Kobe Bryant in his rookie year. More specifically, in his first game against Michael Jordan:
“I just remember him asking Michael Jordan all these questions on the court. … The audacity to ask Michael Jordan for pointers in his very first game against him … Pretty remarkable”
Kobe Bryant was special as both a player and a person. Nothing mattered to him except winning.
The 'Mamba mentality' lives on forever through these memories.