Kobe Bryant had a small circle of true confidants and very few were closer to him than a fellow Los Angeles Lakers legend in Jerry West.
Of course, West was the general manager of the Lakers who made sure the franchise did everything possible to draft Bryant back in 1996 and the two grew very close with West considering Kobe like a son.
With the Lakers set to reveal Kobe’s statue outside of the Crypto.com Arena, everyone is reflecting on the all-time great and everything he meant to them. West spoke with Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times, noting that Bryant had the respect of all of his peers and noting how special the love he had for his daughters was:
“His life was going to be just as successful off the court as it was on the court, because he combined the best elements for all athletes,” West said. “He was well-rounded. I think just his ability to be able to change the direction of his career where if he wanted to promote women’s basketball and opportunities for them in other areas, [he could]. When I watched how all this developed when he was still living, I said to myself that really indicates what kind of person he is also.
“Every once in a while I reflect back to those days and I can see that big smile on his face and I can see how determined he was as an athlete to get to the very top of his profession, which he did. And I think lastly for great, great players is the respect that other players have for you. That’s the only compliment in life and he had reached that status.”
West, 85, paused for a few seconds.
“I’m just looking at a picture of him and his daughter,” he said. “I keep it in a little place in front of me. I see it every day. It’s him sitting on the floor and she’s snuggled up against him. I’m not sure exactly what love is sometimes. I know when you care deeply. I think the most difficult thing for some people is to even show that part of it. But that to me was very special, the two of them together. It’s just tragic that he’s gone. It’s tragic.”
Bryant was truly a one-of-a-kind person and the world lost a true icon with his tragic passing. As West said, Kobe would have surely accomplished everything he planned on doing off the court because of the kind of person he was, he simply wouldn’t have allowed failure to be an option.
There was no one like him and never will be again. Jerry West was impacted like few others due to the closeness of their relationship, but very few would argue with anything that he stated in regards to the true legend that was Kobe Bryant.
Only one member of the current Lakers can say they played alongside Bryant and that is D’Angelo Russell, whose rookie season was Kobe’s last. And Russell recently spoke on the biggest thing he learned in that year, and it was not something most would expect.
Russell pointed to not any specific thing Kobe said to him, but rather how he moved and carried himself. The Lakers guard noted that being able to watch the way Bryant handled his business, the way he talked and walked really meant a lot. He even admitted that he didn’t really understand how big of a deal it was at that time, but calls those ‘vivid memories’ of the Lakers legend.
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Doug McDermott spent the 2024-25 season with the Sacramento Kings. He had averages of 3.5 points per contest while shooting 42.7% from the field and 43.6% from the three-point range in 42 games. On Tuesday, the Kings officially announced that they had re-signed McDermott. Via Kings.com: "The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has re-signed forward Doug McDermott. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed." McDermott has been a solid role player over his 11-year NBA career. He was initially the 11th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Creighton. Via ESPN's Shams Charania (on July 21): "Free agent Doug McDermott has agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal to return to the Sacramento Kings, Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. McDermott will enter his 12th NBA season after shooting 44% from 3 in 42 Kings games in 2024-25." McDermott has also spent time with the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and OKC Thunder. The 33-year-old has career averages of 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 47.0% from the field and 41.1% from the three-point range in 697 games. Via The Indiana Pacers (on May 27, 2024): "Doug McDermott blocks the shot cashes in with a three " As for the Kings, they finished last season as the ninth seed with a 40-42 record. They lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament, so they missed the NBA playoffs.
Shortstop Carlos Correa is in his fourth season with the Minnesota Twins after debuting in the majors with the Houston Astros in 2015. The former first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft lived up to expectations early, winning AL Rookie of the Year in his first full season. Over seven seasons in Houston, he earned two All-Star selections, a Gold Glove award, and helped the Astros capture two World Series titles. Correa joined Minnesota in free agency prior to the 2022 season, and made his third career All-Star appearance last year—his first with the Twins. However, a flare-up of plantar fasciitis in his right foot sidelined him for nearly the entire second half. He still finished 2024 with a strong stat line, hitting .310 with a .905 OPS and 14 home runs over 86 games. During Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, Correa was removed from the game in the second inning and replaced with Brooks Lee. Manager Rocco Baldelli provided an update during the game, “Carlos was a little lightheaded out there and it didn't go away so we're going to get him out of the game.” This season, Correa has yet to regain the offensive form he showed last year. Through 92 games, he’s batting .265 with a career-low .701 OPS and has hit just seven home runs. His struggles have contributed to Minnesota’s disappointing 51–55 record, and the team now looks poised to be sellers at the trade deadline on Thursday.
The Minnesota Vikings are looking to re-establish their defensive identity in 2025, and one of the surprises of training camp so far has been Jeff Okudah. Once labeled by some as a draft bust, Okudah is making waves under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His performance, work ethic, and the strides he’s made in adapting to the Vikings’ system are quickly altering perceptions of both his potential and his fit in Minnesota. But Okudah’s story stretches far beyond just this training camp. His NFL career has been one of highs and lows, a testament to both his resilience and ambition. With Flores’ mentorship and a clear path to playing time, Okudah might finally be in the right place to thrive. A Challenging NFL Journey Jeff Okudah entered the NFL with monumental expectations. Selected third overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Ohio State standout was viewed as a generational defensive back prospect. His college resume was nothing short of outstanding. At Ohio State, Okudah was a lockdown corner who excelled in press coverage, finished his junior season with three interceptions, and earned unanimous All-American honors. Experts heralded his technique, physicality, and ability to close on the football as elite traits that would translate seamlessly to the professional level. However, like many rookies burdened with high draft expectations, Okudah didn’t get off to the start he dreamed of. His rookie season was marred by injuries and inconsistent play, and Detroit’s overall defensive struggles compounded his growing pains. Things hit a low point during his second season in 2021 when he tore his Achilles just one game into the year. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, raising serious doubts about his durability and ability to regain his form. Even upon returning to the field in 2022, Okudah showed flashes but struggled to secure a consistent role. With the Lions moving in a different direction, Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Atlanta offered him stability and opportunities to play, but his performances didn’t fully live up to his potential, and he became a free agent after the 2024 season rather than earning a long-term extension. Now with the Minnesota Vikings, Okudah is under scrutiny once again. However, this time, there are signs that he may finally break through. Making Waves at Vikings Training Camp One week into the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp, Jeff Okudah has been a standout. Despite initial reservations about his role, Okudah has been running with the first team at nickel cornerback. For a defensive unit that prioritized upgrades in other areas this offseason, Okudah’s emergence has provided an unexpected boost in the secondary. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has already praised Okudah’s effort and attention to detail. “He’s been diligent on the field, off the field, in the training room, and in the weight room. He’s always looking to do extra film work,” Flores shared in a recent press conference. One hallmark of Flores’ defense is its reliance on intelligent, adaptable players who can read offenses quickly—and Okudah seems to be rising to the challenge. Flores also made it clear that Okudah’s work ethic and athletic ability are giving him an edge. “He’s getting more comfortable within the defense and has shown up positively in every way,” Flores added. For a player whose confidence was undoubtedly tested in previous seasons, this kind of recognition is both meaningful and motivating. What Okudah Brings to the Vikings’ Defense Okudah’s skill set is what originally made him such a highly valued draft pick. At 6’1” and 205 pounds, he has the size to challenge receivers physically at the line of scrimmage, as well as the speed to keep up in coverage downfield. These traits align well with Flores’ aggressive defensive philosophy, which often calls for corners to play in high-pressure scenarios. Playing in the nickel role can feel limiting to some defensive backs, but it requires discipline and versatility—two strengths Okudah is quickly proving he possesses. Nickel corners must be capable of switching onto slot receivers, dropping back into zone coverage, or even stepping up to help in run defense. It’s no easy job, but Okudah’s adaptability is allowing him to make steady progress. The Vikings are banking on Flores’ knack for turning overlooked talents into key contributors, and Okudah could be the next beneficiary. His ability to stay locked in during practice, both physically and mentally, is earning him trust within the organization. Why This Training Camp Feels Different for Okudah What sets this training camp apart from previous ones in Detroit or Atlanta is the environment. Under Flores, Okudah appears to be part of a system that prioritizes tailored assignments and coaching. The Minnesota Vikings’ staff isn’t asking him to be a savior; they’re asking him to play to his strengths. For a player trying to overcome doubts, this structured approach could be crucial. Additionally, Okudah’s own evolution as a professional is evident. The 24-year-old has dealt with more than his fair share of adversity and seems determined to erase any stigma attached to his draft pedigree. Watching him after practice, continuing reps or working on footwork solo, is a small glimpse into the kind of focus he’s bringing to this opportunity. What His Success Could Mean for the Vikings If Jeff Okudah continues to impress and locks himself into a starting role, the Vikings’ secondary might become more formidable than expected. With veteran safety Harrison Smith anchoring the defense and cornerbacks like Byron Murphy Jr. already contributing, Okudah’s emergence as a dependable nickel corner could provide the versatility needed to counter dynamic passing offenses. It’s also worth noting how Okudah’s trajectory could shape Brian Flores’ reputation. Known for squeezing maximum production out of his players, Flores has a chance to add another reclamation project to his résumé if Okudah lives up to his potential. Final Thoughts Jeff Okudah’s NFL story so far has been anything but linear, but he’s proving at the Minnesota Vikings training camp that the narrative is far from over. Under Brian Flores’ direction, Okudah seems to have found a system and coaching staff capable of helping him tap into his first-round potential. His development could be pivotal not only for the Vikings’ immediate defensive goals but also for reshaping how people view Okudah as a player. It’s still early in camp, and there’s a long season ahead. But for the first time in a long while, it feels like Jeff Okudah is writing a new chapter—one filled with promise, growth, and maybe even the redemption he’s been working toward since 2020.
The 2024 offseason expanded the $30M-per-year wide receiver club to six members. D.K. Metcalf, Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson have taken it to nine this year. Terry McLaurin is undoubtedly pushing to bump that number to 10, after seeing 2019 Day 2 classmates Metcalf and A.J. Brown land among that contingent. McLaurin reported to training camp Sunday and landed on the active/PUP list. As our Rory Parks explained, skepticism exists about how injured the Commanders’ top wide receiver really is. An ankle injury has keyed the PUP stay, but it can be safely assumed McLaurin would be ready to practice if an extension comes to pass. Nevertheless, the Commanders have been surprised by the difficulty of these talks. Using an injury to avoid practicing while negotiating — developments the Jonathan Taylor and Micah Parsons sagas brought — represents a third tactic, joining the holdout and the increasingly utilized hold-in amid extension talks. McLaurin shifted from a holdout to the injury route; no matter how he is accomplishing not practicing, the seventh-year veteran is aiming to land a lucrative third contract. His age provides a complication for Washington. McLaurin is going into an age-30 season, separating him from Brown and Metcalf. Both Ole Miss products were drafted just before McLaurin, a 2019 third-round pick, but they are each two years younger. This strengthened their cases for big-ticket third contracts. McLaurin went first to ignite the second-tier boom on the receiver market in 2022, agreeing to a three-year, $69.6M extension. That shaped the Metcalf and Deebo Samuel extensions, both of which coming in higher than McLaurin’s despite the latter’s consistency with suboptimal quarterback situations. McLaurin’s AAV has dropped to 17th at wide receiver. The Commanders are prepared to extend their top wideout, but Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline indicates the "holdup" is regarding the $30M-AAV number. Some around the league point to the team not wanting to go into that neighborhood for McLaurin, despite his five 1,000-yard seasons. Courtland Sutton and McLaurin are nearly the same age, and the Broncos’ top target signed a four-year, $92M extension. That matches where the Titans went for Calvin Ridley (now 30) in 2024. McLaurin, though, has a better resume than both and should be aiming higher. The Commanders have a Jayden Daniels rookie contract to structure another McLaurin extension around as well. Adam Peters was around for the 49ers’ 2022 Samuel extension but not Brandon Aiyuk‘s $30M-per-year deal. (The Samuel extension also did not work out for the 49ers, who proceeded with a salary dump of sorts by trading him to the Commanders.) The second-year GM taking a hardline stance with McLaurin would be an interesting route given the WR’s importance to a sudden contender. Peters confirmed talks are ongoing, with that comment coming after McLaurin expressed frustration about the negotiations. A potential gap between the pack of 20-somethings (and Tyreek Hill) north of $30M AAV and the Tee Higgins–Jaylen Waddle–D.J. Moore tier could be relevant here, and it will be interesting to see if McLaurin settles for something just south of that $30MM benchmark. Guarantees and contract structure, of course, will be important to determining the value as well. A short-term extension should be reached soon, per Pauline, but if the Commanders hold the line at or around $30M, the McLaurin matter could drag on for a while longer.