Few players have had the mentality that Kobe Bryant brought to the game. Much like Michael Jordan, Kobe was obsessed with winning. Bryant didn't care what he had to do in order to make sure that his team came out on top. Bryant was wildly competitive and could not stand the idea of losing.
His teammates with the Lakers got to experience this competitive streak first hand, as he demanded the best from himself and his teammates. For Bryant, there was no limit or line he would not cross to ensure that he walked away with the win.
Even if it meant he had to defy his coaches instructions, Bryant would do it in a heartbeat to win the game. And according to former teammate Caron Butler, that is exactly what he did.
During a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, the Lakers were behind by 1 point with seconds left. Butler recalled how head coach Rudy Tomjanovic called the timeout and was making a play.
Out of nowhere, Bryant said that they weren't going to run the play, and he would take the ball and try to hit the winner. He also told his teammates that whoever gets him the ball can be a part of history. So the Lakers came out to the court with the plan that Bryant would get the ball and score the winner.
“We was in Charlotte, and we was in the huddle. The game was tied. There is only like four seconds, three seconds on the shot clock. Rudy T is like drawing up all type of s--t on the board. Kobe said ‘f--k that, just give me the ball right here’. And, he was like ‘whoever wanna take the ball will be part of history’. Lamar (Odom) is like 'I want to be part of history'. Kobe hit the shot, and it’s game.”
And that is exactly what Kobe did. He got the ball and went up the court before feinting his body and sinking a fadeaway jumper to seal the win. It was a truly amazing moment from Bryant, who had made the late-game situation his own.
Stories such as the one Butler told give a good insight into what it was like to play with Bryant. Kobe's drive was unmatched, and his desire to win was absolutely incredible. Kobe went on to win a lot more game-winners in his career, but the story behind the shot truly showcases his elite 'Mamba' mentality.
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