NBA Players Talk About Kobe: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In this blog post, we explore what some NBA players have to say about the late Kobe Bryant We cover the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

Players around the NBA have been paying tribute to Kobe Bryant following his untimely death. Many of them have shared stories about their experiences with the legend, both on and off the court. Here are some of the highlights:

“Kobe was one of a kind. He was a true legend and will be missed by everyone.” – LeBron James

“Kobe was an amazing player and an even more amazing person. He always had time for us, no matter who we were.” – Steph Curry

“Kobe was one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever seen. He pushed me to be better every day.” – Michael Jordan

The Bad

Many people have complicated feelings about Kobe Bryant He was one of the most talented players the NBA has ever seen, but he also had a dark side. Some of his former teammates have spoken out about what it was like to play with Kobe, and it’s not always pretty.

Kobe was known for being extremely competitive, and that could sometimes be a problem. He would get angry at teammates if they made a mistake, and he wasn’t afraid to let them know it. In 2013, former Lakers player Steve Nash said that Kobe “would call guys out in practice all the time.” Nash added that Kobe “would get on guys about every little thing.”

Former Lakers forward Karl Malone said that playing with Kobe was “tough,” because he was always demanding perfection from his teammates. Malone added that Kobe was “hard to please,” and that he would often ride his teammates hard if they made a mistake.

These stories make it clear that Kobe could be tough to play with. He was always striving for perfection, and he didn’t hesitate to let his teammates know when they fell short.

The Ugly

Many people loved Kobe Bryant but not everyone was a fan. Some NBA players have come out and talked about the dark side of Kobe, the one that was selfish and difficult to deal with. Here are some of their stories.

The Good: Kobe’s On-Court Skills

Kobe Bryant was one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history His on-court accomplishments are undeniable; he is one of the greatest players of all time. But his off-court persona was often criticized, as he was perceived to be arrogant and aloof. In the wake of his death, many current and former NBA players have shared their experiences with Kobe, both good and bad.

On the court, Kobe was a true virtuoso. His skill set was unmatched, and he demanded the best from his teammates. “He could do things that nobody else could do,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “He would make tough shots and make tough plays.” Dwight Howard added, “Every time you stepped on the floor with Kobe, he raised your level of competitiveness.”

Kobe’s work ethic was legendary; he was known for putting in hours of practice long after his colleagues had gone home for the day. “He put the work in,” said Dwyane Wade “[He] wanted to be great.” Carmelo Anthony echoed this sentiment, saying that Kobe “wasn’t afraid to put in the work.”

It is clear that Kobe inspired those around him to raise their level of play. He will be remembered not only as a great player, but as a fierce competitor who pushed those around him to be better.

The Bad: Kobe’s Off-Court Behavior

Kobe Bryant was one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history Some loved him, some hated him. But there was one thing that everyone could agree on: Kobe was one of the GOATs on the court. He was a fierce competitor, an incredible scorer, and a 5-time champion.

However, off the court, Kobe was not always the best role model He was accused of sexual assault in 2003, and although the charges were eventually dropped, many people still view Kobe in a negative light because of that incident. In addition to that, Kobe was often criticized for being selfish and narcissistic, and he often rubbed people the wrong way with his off-court behavior.

Despite all of that, though, there are still many people who love and respect Kobe for everything he did on the court. And there are also many people who are able to separate Kobe the player from Kobe the person. At the end of the day, Kobe was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and there’s no denying that.

The Ugly: The Aftermath of Kobe’s Career

In the aftermath of Kobe’s career, many NBA players have come out and talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly of playing with or against him. The ugly consists of many things, but some main points are his competitiveness, his obsessive dedication to winning, and his lack of empathy.

Many players have said that Kobe was so competitive that itoften made practices and games uncomfortable. He would get angry at teammates for making simple mistakes and was always vocal about wanting to win. Some players have even said that he would try to intentionally injury them during practice so that he could get re Playing time. While this behavior may have helped him become one of the greatest players of all time, it also made him one of the most hated.

Kobe was also known for his dedication to winning. He was obsessed with being the best and would often put in extra hours of training. This led to him becoming one of the Highest-Paid Players in the NBA, but it also caused him to alienate many people. His teammates would often times feel like they couldn’t keep up with him and his drive to be perfect.

Lastly, Kobe was lacking in empathy. He was known for being selfish on and off the court. He would often times ignore his team’s needs in order to get what he wanted. This led to many teammates feeling like they couldn’t trust him and that he didn’t care about anyone but himself.

While Kobe is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, there is no denying that he had a dark side as well. His competitive nature, dedication to winning, and lack of empathy often times made him difficult to play with or against.

The Good: What Other Players Say About Kobe

When you think about the greatest basketball players of all time, one name that always comes to mind is Kobe Bryant During his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe became one of the most successful and popular players in the NBA. Even though he retired in 2016, his legacy continues to live on.

Kobe was known for being a fierce competitor on the court. He was also known for being very demanding of his teammates, and he had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Nevertheless, many of his former teammates have spoken highly of him since his retirement.

Here’s what some NBA players have said about Kobe:

“Kobe was one of the fiercest competitors I ever went up against. He helped raise my game to another level…He’s one of the best ever to play this game and I’m grateful to have been able to compete against him.” – Lebron James

“Kobe was determined to be great at everything he did… When he spoke, people listened. That’s because they knew he meant what he said, and he always followed through on his word. He set the standard for our profession…I respected Kobe so much because he played with such great passion and intensity every single night.” – Dwyane Wade

“Kobe was somebody who really believed in himself, no matter what anybody said. And that gave him this edge that made him different from just a regular player…There was nobody who worked harder than Kobe did.” – Carmelo Anthony

8 )The Bad: What Other Players Say About Kobe

When it comes to Kobe, there seems to be no middle ground. You either love him or you hate him. There’s very little in-between. Players either respect his work ethic and competitive nature, or they view him as a selfish player who is more concerned with his legacy than winning championships.

Kobe has always been a polarizing figure, and that was especially true during his final years in the NBA. As he became less effective on the court, some players started to speak out about his behavior and attitude. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“He’s the most Vince Carterian player I’ve ever seen in my life.” – Draymond Green

“Kobe is probably one of the most frustrating guys I ever played against, because you couldn’t stop him.” – Kyrie Irving

“I ain’t never seen [Michael Jordan] working as hard as Kobe does.” – Dwyane Wade

“He Kobes everybody.” – Shaquille O’Neal

The Ugly: The Media’s Reaction to Kobe

Kobe was one of the most complex, controversial, and successful basketball players of all time. He was revered by some and reviled by others. After his death in 2020, the media pulled no punches in their assessments of his life and legacy.

Here are some of the things they said:

“Kobe was a serial rapist.”

“He was an egotistical jerk.”

“He ruined Shaq’s career.”

“He didn’t care about anyone but himself.”

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Kobe’s Legacy

When it comes to the legacy of Kobe Bryant NBA players have a lot to say. The five-time champion and 18-time All-Star was one of the most polarizing figures in the league during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers And now, in the wake of his untimely death, players are sharing their thoughts on the complicated legacy that Bryant leaves behind.

Many of the players who spoke out were quick to point out that, despite his sometimes combative attitude, Bryant was always a great teammate and a fierce competitor. “I never played against Kobe, but I know how much he demanded from his teammates,” said Lebron James “He wanted to win every single time he stepped on the floor.”

Others noted that Bryant’s intensity could sometimes be off-putting, but that it was always in service of winning. “There were times when I didn’t like him,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “But I respected him because he was about one thing and one thing only: winning.”

Still, not everyone was willing to paint such a rosy picture of Bryant’s legacy. Some pointed to his 2001 sexual assault case as a blemish on his otherwise exemplary career. “I think it’s important to remember that Kobe was not perfect,” said Dwyane Wade “He made mistakes, like we all do.”

Ultimately, though, the vast majority of players seemed to agree that Bryant’s impact on the game of basketball – and on the world – is undeniable. “Kobe was one of a kind,” said Steph Curry “There will never be another player like him.”