3x 6MOY winner makes honest admission on first interaction with late Kobe Bryant: "A badge of honor"
The day was never easy for a player in the NBA when he had to play against the late Kobe Bryant. The LA Lakers legend enjoyed watching his opponents fear him, but those who gave him a run for his money always earned his respect. After seven years in the NBA, Jamal Crawford got that honor.
On Monday, the three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year appeared on "Podcast P with Paul George" and discussed what it felt like playing against Bryant. He revealed that the five-time NBA champion recognized Crawford after he had played for seven years in the league.
The crossover legend recalled the first time Mamba acknowledged him on court. It was in the game between the New York Knicks and the LA Lakers at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 23, 2007. Crawford scored 30 in the second half and brought the Knicks within one point after trailing by 25 points.
Bryant approached Crawford during the game and said, "You as hot as a pistol, huh!" and started guarding him. It was after the game that Bryant acknowledged him.
"He had never said hello nothing so he came and guarded me," Crawford said.
At the end of the game, he gave me a dab and said, 'Good game, my brother.' That was the first time we had an exchange. I felt like I had arrived in a different way. Kobe knowing my name—it was like a badge of honor." [6:35]
In a 95–90 win over the Knicks, Bryant had 39 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Crawford had 31 points, 30 of which he scored in the second half.
Jamal Crawford reveals what it was like guarding Kobe Bryant in a game
Remember the 1997 playoffs, when rookie Kobe Bryant shot four airballs in a playoff game against the Utah Jazz? All in clutch moments! After the first airball, he shot the second, after the second airball, he shot another and after the third airball, he shot another.
Bryant always had the heart of a lion and never kept trying, even if he was having the worst nights of his career.
Jamal Crawford offered a similar sentiment when asked about guarding Bryant. The three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year player appeared on FanDuel TV with Michelle Beadle.
When Beadle asked the former Knicks player about the experience of guarding Bryant, Crawford said:
"Guarding him was like no other. He was literally the best player I've ever played against. He had no fear. He can go 1-for-15 and think he was hot.
His work ethic, his skill. When you knew you were gonna play against him, he wants to take your heart, but you lost sleep the night before."
The anecdotes about Bryant making sure he outworked his opponents, and being the last person to leave the gym, give just a fraction of the entire picture of his hyper-competitive mentality. Despite dying at such an early age, his legacy continues to live through the people he inspired, both on and off the court.