“Shump, You just don't want it. What n**?” – 1x NBA champion describes humiliating workouts with Kobe Bryant, says he played serious physical basketball
lakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant earned a reputation as one of the most competitive players the game of basketball has ever seen. Throughout his illustrious career, Bryant was known as a ruthless opponent to anyone that stood in his way. It was part of the reason why Bryant went on to win five championships.
The legend of Kobe Bryant has only grown after he tragically passed away in 2020. There has been no shortage of stories from players and coaches about Bryant's legendary work ethic.
Former Lakers teammates Iman Shumpert and Nick Young discussed their memorable interactions with the 'Black Mamba' during a recent episode of the "Iman Amongst Men" podcast.
Shumpert talked about how Kobe Bryant was always extremely serious and told players how he felt about them with bluntness.
"You dealing with honesty. That was one of the most serious men that I ever met. Solid though, super solid. Super solid, will tell you the truth though. Look you dead in your eye and tell you the truth. You just don't work hard enough. You just don't want it. He'll say some shit to me like that. He'll be elbowing you throughout the game, Shump, You just don't want it. What n**?"
Later on in the episode, Young shared a story about how he sustained an injury during a Lakers practice session. However, Bryant thought Young was faking it to get out of practice.
"Well he had broke my thumb reaching. Like he reached in and broke it but he didn't think it was broke. He thought I was playing like I was hurt. So during practice he forced me to practice and was throwing the ball, passing me with the ball extra hard and shit.
I got my x-rays. You gotta listen to the trainers. Listen to what they tell you. You faking I know you. So he was passing the ball extra hard the whole practice. I'm like no I kept hitting the ball down and shit with my left hand and then I got x-rays after that and they told him he was the first person to call me like my bad man."
Looking back at Kobe Bryant's magnificant NBA career
Bryant won five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, one MVP Award, and made 18 All-Star Games during a legendary 20-season career. But what he is most remembered for is his reputation as a fierce competitor. It wasn't just during games, but also in practices and late-night shooting sessions.
Kobe Bryant's work ethic was legendary.
Hyperice founder Anthony Katz witnessed it firsthand at a Team USA camp in Vegas before the 2012 Olympics. https://t.co/cXT5BzGCiu
Bryant led the NBA in scoring twice, ranks fourth all-time in regular season and postseason scoring, and was posthumously voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.