Jalen Williams isn’t backing down from the backlash over his Kobe Bryant tribute. After fans online labeled his recent Instagram photo, a pose inspired by the late Lakers legend, as “corny,” the Thunder guard didn’t stay silent. Instead, he fired back with a confident and unapologetic clapback that instantly went viral.
“Dub, how do you feel about people saying you are corny for that Kobe pic?” one fan asked.
Williams’ response? Brutal.
“Tbh the same people calling game corny couldn’t hold my water in real life,” he wrote. “Probably would ask for a selfie if we were face-to-face.”
Jalen has never been afraid to confront his critics, especially after helping the Thunder win their first NBA championship this June. With averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, he solidified himself as a core member of the team, and he’s got the confidence to match.
This week, that arrogance came back to haunt him a bit in the form of an angry mob online. It happened after Williams replicated an iconic photo of Kobe Bryant shooting a one-handed free throw. Since Williams is currently dealing with an injury Kobe once had, he figured it was a nice way to pay homage to someone who shared a similar struggle.
While he may have meant well, the gesture was poorly received among the fans, and many of them expressed their outrage in the comments. The criticism came hard and fast, all because Williams dared to invoke the image of a legend.
Funnily enough, Williams seems to be a major fan of Kobe. He wears Kobe’s iconic No. 8 and also plays the same position as a shooting guard/small forward. While J-Dub is obviously nowhere near Kobe’s tier just yet (5x champion, former MVP, NBA Hall of Famer), he’s hoping to get there with more time, practice, and dedication to the craft.
Fortunately, the Thunder are in good shape to follow through on Williams’ big talk and defend their status as the reigning NBA champs. With their young core having gained valuable playoff experience and another summer of training, they will be poised to have another historic season and make a strong title defense.
Along the way, Williams will be playing (and living) on his terms, while sticking it to his critics any chance he gets. Even after just three years in the league, Jalen has learned the true workings of the NBA business and that hate is going to come with the territory.
Williams may be just three seasons into his NBA career, but he’s already built for the spotlight. From battling in the playoffs to brushing off social media drama, he’s showing the mental toughness that separates stars from the rest. That kind of mindset (focused, unbothered, and laser-locked on greatness) is exactly what helped Kobe build his legacy in the first place.
So if Jalen Williams wants to channel Mamba energy, critics might want to get used to it. Because he’s not just mimicking Kobe’s pose, he’s embracing the pressure that comes with greatness, and proving he’s got the game and guts to handle it.
