Jerry West Gets Real On Kobe Bryant’s Incredible Work Ethic: “Like A Man Playing Against Kindergarten People…”

Jerry West details Kobe's amazing work ethic during time with Lakers.

3 Min Read

Credit: Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

Over 20 years in the NBA, Kobe Bryant built a legacy that will never be washed away. As a 5x champion, 18x All-Star, and NBA Hall of Famer, Bryant achieved astounding success during his career, and he worked hard to make it happen. 

Speaking with Paul George on ‘Podcast P,’ the great Jerry West (who witness Kobe’s greatness firsthand) told some of his own experiences with Bryant and explained how his relentless work ethic helped power a run of unprecedented greatness.

“To watch him work out was like ridiculous,” said West. “Like a man playing against kindergarten people. That’s how advanced he was. He was versatile, but he was a ferocious defender. That’s all he did, he wanted to compete. He was unbelievably skilled, his work ethic second to none, he wasn’t afraid of anything. And it was genuine, it’s not verbiage. You go around training camp and you watch him it’s like you almost felt you had to strap him down. he could not sit down. He was just a natural player who when he was born there was a heck of a lot of gold dust sprinkled on this kid.”

Kobe’s talent and natural skills were enough to secure his spot in the NBA, but it was his heart and determination that made him one of the best. Unlike many top stars today, Kobe embraced the challenge of getting better and he’d spend hours upon hours in the gym honing his craft and perfecting his game. 

By the end of it, Bryant was one of the most successful players ever and the example he set by putting in the work inspired millions to pursue their own goals and ambitions.


Kobe’s Competitive Spirit Was Unmatched

Even when Kobe wasn’t playing for the NBA title, he was still a very competitive person. In all walks of life, he set standards for himself, and he tried his best to push himself and those around him into meeting those standards.

“The first night we all got into Las Vegas last summer for the USA Basketball camp, I heard Kobe [Bryant] went on some 40-mile bike ride at night through the desert,” said Blake Griffin on Kobe in the 2012 Olympics. “Forty miles? At night?”

Wherever Kobe was and whoever he was with, he brought out the best in everyone. On the Lakers, he helped build a culture of team pride and competitiveness that remains strong to this day.

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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