Since it has been several years since the late Kobe Bryant stepped on an NBA court and participated in an official game, many modern-day fans have likely already forgotten the impact that the Black Mamba had on the sport of basketball. To the few who do not know, Bryant is a 5x NBA champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
When fans engage in the infamous GOAT debate, a lot of attention is given to either Michael Jordan or LeBron James with Kobe usually being an afterthought.
During a recent interview, a former NBA player that had the privilege of playing alongside Bryant shared what set him apart from everyone else. Since fans on the sidelines have no way of understanding how Kobe’s opponents or teammates felt about him, we should certainly want to know what was said about the Los Angeles Lakers legend. Let us take a closer look and find out more.
Lamar Odom claims that Kobe Bryant was a one-man army
Although MJ and LeBron dominate the GOAT debate, there is no denying the incredible impact and legacy that Kobe Bryant had on the game of basketball. What set him apart from the other NBA greats was his incredible mental toughness and work ethic.
While Lamar Odom is no longer in the league, his name will still ring bells in the minds of Lakers fans. To those who do not know, Odom played in the NBA for 14 seasons and managed to win two NBA championships alongside Bryant. Throughout his career, Lamar averaged 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Since he played with Kobe for 7 seasons, he likely knows better than most what the Black Mamba was capable of doing
Odom opined that Kobe possessed the ability to tear out the hearts of his opponents singlehandedly, “[Kobe] is one of the only guys I know who can single-handedly take the will from a team. He can take the heart out of you with his bare hands.”
“[Kobe] is one of the only guys I know who can single-handedly take the will from a team. He can take the heart out of you with his bare hands.” – Lamar Odom pic.twitter.com/makHhUlgQQ
— NBAinthezone™️ (@NBAinthezone) October 2, 2023
Bryant’s incredible work ethic and skill allowed him to take and make some of the most improbable shots in NBA history. Holding onto a lead only to watch Kobe take over and dominate at the final stretch would undoubtedly feel like having one’s heart pulled out, as Odom puts it. In any case, we hope this paints a clearer picture for NBA fans regarding the Black Mamba’s capabilities.
