Kobe Bryant had a glittering NBA career that spanned two decades. With five NBA championships and numerous individual accolades, Bryant became one of the most iconic players in Lakers history. But like any other player, Kobe also had low points in his career, which he once opened up about during an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast.
Bryant was speaking with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson and was asked to talk about some of the lowest points of his career, and he recalled something from early on when he came into the league as a rookie.
“The first couple of years were brutal, a nightmare. It was tough. I was just sitting there watching my guys play 35 to 37 minutes. AI, Ray Allen, they’re all doing their jobs. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, they’re all doing their jobs and I was just sitting there glued to the bench.”
“If I’d known this would happen, I would have gone to school.”
Kobe Bryant opens up about his basketball lows and career turning points. #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/pJIHk0Fe1t
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) August 24, 2024
Bryant initially said the 2008 NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics was one of the lowest points of his career, but the lack of playing time he received during his first few years in the league would haunt him until the end of his career.
After entering the NBA as the 13th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Bryant saw his fellow draftees getting ample playing time on the court, and while Bryant spent the first two or three years on the bench, he saw Iverson and Allen as prime examples of rookies getting ample playing time.
Bryant said his then-coach didn’t want to appear to be playing favorites, and while he was right, it ended up upsetting the Lakers legend, leading to him being denied playing time and sitting on the bench in a rage.
Kobe’s rise to stardom
It took a while for the Black Mamba to prove his talents in the NBA, and while injuries played a big role in Bryant’s lack of playing time, it wasn’t until Phil Jackson took over as the team’s head coach that Kobe saw regular appearances as a starter.
His rise to stardom began in 2000, when the Lakers won three consecutive NBA championships. Bryant and Shaq developed into one of the most dangerous duos in NBA history before O’Neal moved to Miami.
But after Big Aristotle left, Bryant didn’t waver. Kobe continued to use his skills and win two more titles with Los Angeles. He established himself as a leader on the team and will always be remembered fondly by fans and players alike.
