Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal formed, arguably, the greatest duo in NBA history. After winning three straight titles from 2000-2002, they cemented their place in the history books forever.
Unfortunately, the pair had a falling out before all was said and done, and they broke up just a few years after their amazing run began.
While things didn’t end well, O’Neal can still look back fondly on his experiences with Kobe. In one clip that is making waves online, it features O’Neal doing his best Mamba impression as he explained his wacky tradition of practicing without a ball.
“When he was 18 he used to be in the locker room dribbling and shooting without the ball for hours. And then you see him practice the same move on the court like he was obsessed with being the best ever. I was obsessed with being the most dominant, he was obsessed with being the best.”
There are many stories of Kobe Bryant’s amazing work ethic, so it’s no surprise to hear how he used to practice without the ball. As a true student of the game, and someone who wasn’t afraid to put in the work, Bryant’s obsession with being great resulted in countless hours on the court by himself, perfecting his craft.
Where Does Kobe Bryant Rank Among The All-Time Greats?
Today, Bryant isn’t around to make the case for himself, but his place in the NBA’s All-Time hierarchy is secure. In fact, if you ask some players, they’ll tell you that Bryant is right up there as one of the GOATs.
To Fred, Bryant was a guy who had it all. He had the natural athleticism, the talent, the will, and the perfect mentality to match. Really, Kobe was the perfect storm of greatness.
“Kobe is the guy for me. The skill set, the mentality, the athleticism, the will…surgical. He’s the guy.”
Looking back, Kobe’s talent and natural mastery of the game cannot be overlooked. When you talk about pure skill, he’s got to rank up there with the best ever.
What really separated Kobe from the rest, however, was his unbridled passion for being the best. Whether it was waking up at 4 a.m. to go to the gym every day or practicing for hours without a ball, Bryant’s methods knew no limits.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
