Two-time NBA champion revealed interesting Kobe Bryant ritual for Los Angeles Lakers newcomers | NBA News
Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA player who went lengths to stay a cut above the rest. He ensured that his team was excellent, and for that, he followed an interesting ritual for every new player who joined his team Los Angeles Lakers. What the ritual was, emerged from two-time NBA champion and Bryant’s ex-teammate Tyronn Lue’s revelation on a podcast. Lue, who went on to become the Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach later, recalled his time with Bryant in the Lakers. He recalled the competitive spirit with which Bryant played basketball and practiced daily, without fail, to stay at the top of the game. With his ritual, Bryant showed newcomers what being a Laker meant. The ritual was playing a one-on-one with new talents who joined the Lakers. Lue explained how it became a ritual.
Tyronn Lue revealed Kobe Bryant’s ritual he followed for every Los Angeles newcomer
Every newcomer at the Los Angeles Lakers had to go through a friendly competition. Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach, Tyronn Lue, revealed on a podcast what the competition was and who led it. Lue’s ex-teammate and NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, has a unique way of welcoming the newcomers to the Lakers. Kobe played for the Lakers throughout his NBA career and was known for his exceptionally competitive approach. Talking about the ritual, Lue revealed:“Every time we got a new player, like Glen Rice, Glen Rice is a bad dude, Kobe wanted to play one-on-one.”“To show him, this is my team. We got J.R. Ryder, same thing. J.R. Ryder got there, he wanted to play one-on-one, show him this is my team.”Kobe always meant pure business when it came to matters on the court. His ritual helped the newcomers acquaint themselves with the playing style of the team. Maybe it also helped them find their place in the team and be prepared for what to expect on the court.
Tyronn Lue shared unknown details about Kobe Bryant’s approach to basketball
Nothing but practice and more practice can help one excel in the basketball game. Kobe Bryant’s routine testified to this fact. He was the one who never skipped practice sessions. Recalling Bryant’s routine, Lue shared:“That’s just who he was, compete for every possession, every sprint, every dribble, he wanted to be the best, and that’s no bulls***, like every single day, he was the same person, you saw him practice every single day.”
Lue was himself a master of one-on-ones, but when it came to beating Kobe, even Lue had sweaty palms. He could never make out why he was not able to have an upper hand over Kobe in 1-on-1s. He recalled:“Every day, my cousin was like, ‘Man, why you can’t beat him?’ He’d beat me every damn time. I was a great 1-on-1 player, like I’m like man, I don’t know why I can’t beat this dude. A year or two went by, and Kobe became Kobe.”According to Lue, Kobe did not become a sensation overnight. It took a few years before Kobe acquired the status he achieved in the NBA. Very few players come with a mindset and approach with which Bryant entered the NBA. Bryant’s dedication and relentless efforts paid off eventually, and he ended his career in 2016, but not before winning five championships and an exemplary display of Mamba mentality that became the Lakers’ spirit later. Kobe Bryant showed with his dedication and talent that legends are made when perseverance meets capability. He had the right elements to become the legend that he was, and he did make the best use of his virtues to become an example that no NBA fan or player would ever forget.Bryant’s top career moments included scoring a career-high 81 points against the Raptors in 2006. He became instrumental in the Lakers’ run to five championships. In 2016, when he played his final game, he delivered a phenomenal 60-point game, repeating the 61-point performance of 2009 at Madison Square Garden. During the 2013 playoffs, he did not allow an Achilles’ tendon injury to hold him back, and he shot free throws despite his condition. Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal honors Kobe Bryant with a stunning throwback photo on his birthday
