Kobe Bryant was the ultimate star for the Los Angeles Lakers. He stayed with the franchise throughout his entire career and helped bring them incredible success during his career. And because of his achievements, many consider him the greatest Laker of all time.
Kobe stayed through the good times and the bad. After a solid first 8 years in LA, where he won 3 NBA championships alongside Shaquille O’Neal. The Lakers endured a rough stretch, where Kobe was the only superstar in the team.
They got back winning ways a few years later, but Kobe stayed with the Lakers when they weren’t at their best.
But even Kobe didn’t enjoy it when the Lakers tried something new with their uniforms. In 2007, the Lakers made short shorts a part of their uniforms for a game against the Boston Celtics. The shorts were a throwback to the older days of the NBA when short shorts were a part of the ensemble.
Kobe Bryant did not enjoy wearing those uniforms and made his feelings clear about them. He noted that the short shorts made him feel exposed and he felt like he was not wearing any clothes.
“I felt violated. I felt naked.”
Clearly, Kobe’s opinion carried a lot of weight. The short shorts were never seen again for the Lakers. But despite being uncomfortable with the shorts, he was a complete professional about it, and wore them out for the game, and played at the highest level he could.
It was this hunger that made Kobe one of the greatest of all time. Kobe won 5 NBA championships during his career, won 2 Finals MVPs, and was a regular-season MVP. He is one of only three players in NBA history to win an NBA scoring title and make an All-Defensive team in the same season.
Will the Lakers’ short shorts ever make a return? Given Kobe’s reaction to them, it is highly unlikely. On top of that, they also don’t suit the modern style of NBA uniforms anymore. But Kobe’s role in the short shorts being gone may be in the best interest of the NBA.
