Kobe Bryant (Photo : Reuters)
Apart from game-winning shots, 81-point scoring nights, and a patented "Mamba Death Stare," Kobe Bryant has had a long history with giving some of his teammates a hard time both on and off the floor.
Bryant tore Kwame Brown and Smush Parker to pieces when they were teammates during the dark days of the Lakers in the middle part of last decade. He even spewed venom to Andrew Bynum and LA's general manager, Mitch Kupchak.
These players - excluding Kupchak - all had something in common: not having the winning attitude and the serious-mindedness to the game.
Kobe Bryant picks his students really well. He sees potential right from the get-go, and helps as much as possible to bring this out from someone.
In short, the 37-year-old Mamba doesn't waste his time on those who don't want to help themselves.
Thankfully, though, he has a young group of players who are all eager to pick his brain and squeeze out as much basketball knowledge as they can while it lasts.
Following a devastating end to his rookie season, Julius Randle found a confidant in Kobe Bryant.
"The biggest person to help get me through this (broken right tibia) was Kobe - by far," Randle shared about Bryant.
For Randle, being alongside Kobe fueled his passion and made him understand game on a deeper level.
"If you have a certain fire, a love for the game, that doesn't bother you," Randle said. "He may not always say something to piss you off, but he maybe just says something that makes you think."
In Jordan Clarkson's case, he simplified how the former NBA MVP leads by example rather than just barking instructions and demanding for the ball.
"It wasn't even preseason yet, but Kobe was going full speed," Clarkson spoke about Bryant. "Somehow he made it look as if he was just gliding around. I don't think he had played all summer due to his injury, but he still killed everyone."
The 2014-15 NBA All-Rookie First Team member even shared an interesting insight about the five-time champion.
"For all the stories you hear about Kobe talking trash and demanding a lot from his teammates, on many occasions he's picked us up, too."
Los Angeles Lakers rookie, D'Angelo Russell, had a different take on Kobe Bryant.
"He was my Michael Jordan," Russell said. "I didn't grow up watching Michael Jordan. I didn't grow up watching Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, Larry Bird, I didn't get to watch those dudes."
Being picked at No.2 by the Lakers during last June's NBA Draft gave Russell the huge honor not only to wear the purple and gold, but to also play alongside his childhood idol.
"To get the opportunity to play with him for his last years is a highlight of my life definitely."
