SUMMARY
- In one of his interviews, Kobe Bryant was asked about how he dealt with lazy teammates and he responded by saying that he would go up to Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak's office.
- Kobe Bryant didn't want to lose championships because of a bunch of lazy teammates which is why he took the ruthless way to deal with them.
The late Kobe Bryant was renowned for his determination and Mamba Mentality. His storied career continues to inspire countless people. Throughout his two-decades-long career, Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to a phenomenal level of success. To achieve this, he had to often deal with lazy teammates and he had one of the most ruthless ways of responding to them.
In one of his interviews, the late basketball player was asked about how he dealt with lazy teammates. To this, he responded by saying that he would go up to Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak’s office to have a nice salary cap discussion. Bryant emphasized that the discussion used to be about how they could move these players and get them out of the team.
“Pack them up and move them out,” Bryant added with a strong voice. His energy and anger towards his former lazy teammates were evident even in the interview. Notably, one of the lazy teammates that Bryant had to deal with was Shaquille O’Neal. In another interview, Bryant spoke about how Shaq’s laziness drove him crazy. If he had been alive then Big Diesel‘s transformation would have made him the happiest.
Kobe Bryant didn’t want to lose championships because of lazy teammates
After Kobe Bryant revealed how he dealt with lazy teammates, the host followed up by asking, “So you were the general manager?” The 5x NBA Championship winner said that he wasn’t but he was the one who would go up and be like listen at the end of the day, the career is said and done. “You know I’d be damned if I lose these championships because I’m playing with a bunch of lazy dudes,” Bryant added.
Kobe Bryant is the only member of#NBA75 to beat four 50+ win teams in a single postseason without a single top 75 teammate#MambaMentality.
He Is The Only Guy In NBA History To Win Back-2-Back Championships Without A Top 75 Player 🏆🏆♾️
Kobe Bean Bryant Is The Goat Of Goats… pic.twitter.com/7LJViqJ03g
— 8/24Mamba-Forever 🐍 (@Mamba24Ever__) April 2, 2024
Furthermore, the Black Mamba while referring to winning championships said that this train is going this way, one way or the other. “You’re gonna be on it, you’re gonna be off it, you’re gonna be under it. It is what it is,” he added. Not only this, Bryant also emphasized that he liked to motivate players to do better, however, he didn’t want to motivate them to get in the gym in the first place.
Kobe Bryant would make his teammates consider their professional life choices
Back in 2018, Kobe Bryant shared his competitive and business philosophy with USC students. During this, he spoke about dealing with lazy teammates and stunned everyone as he said, “My response might sound a little tough but I just kill them, I bury them.” In addition to this, he highlighted Its tolerance for that and the kind of culture that the Laker organization stood for when championships, were not tolerated.
Furthermore, Bryant said, “You’re going to show up to play. You’re going to allow the gags with the scrimmage through this drill.” After this, he went on to talk about how he would beat his teammates and let them know that he beat them, and “I’m going to make you consider your professional life choice.” Towards the end, Bryant made a mic-drop statement that he was not here to be a great teammate but rather to help win championships.