Recalling a “Scrawny” Kobe Bryant Story, 56YO Ex-NBA Star Details His Earliest Memory of the Black Mamba: “Ridiculous Athletic Stuff”

From his days in the AAU, it was obvious Kobe Bryant had superstar potential. It would get him noticed by the NBA before the Los Angeles Lakers selected him in 1996. Very few can boast about seeing his raw talent personally before he set foot on an NBA court. One of them who was left awestruck by pre-fame Black Mamba is an NBA veteran-turned-analyst. His playing career overlapped with a young Bean. He would recall his firsthand experience with Bryant on a show.

JJ Redick hosted the celebrated NBA analyst on his podcast in 2022. A clip of the retired pro talking about his first encounter with Kobe Bryant resurfaced to remind us that the future 5x champion was equally impressive since he was a teen.

Kobe Bryant stunned an NBA veteran

Tim Legler began his NBA career in 1988  and played all the way to 1999. He has seen many players during his career and beyond as he switched to sportscasting in 2000. The end of his career overlapped with the start of Kobe Bryant’s. He’d reveal to JJ Redick on his podcast that he actually met Bryant before his NBA start.

Around 1993, Legler was a regular for the Dallas Mavericks. Looking to get some workout in the offseason, he went to a gym in Philadelphia. Other NBA pros, college players and basketball players frequented the place.

As Legler was taping his legs, he saw a youngster who caught his eye. “There was a dude out there and he’s doing pretty ridiculous athletic stuff. You could tell he was young but he looked kind of scrawny.” This young guy was playing against Lakers’ legend, Eddie Jones, and giving him a hard time.

The memory is fresh on Legler’s mind even today. “They’re going head to head, pretty much.” Jones was a 3x All-Star, and Legler was stunned to see him outmatched by a teen in front of Legler’s eyes.

Intrigued by the young player, Legler asked a trainer who he was. “I thought he was gonna say ‘oh, that’s such and such, he plays at whatever college.’… He’s like, ‘that’s Kobe Bryant, he’s Joe Bryant’s son.'”

Still interested, he prodded for more information and was told of Bryant’s age at that time. “He’s 15, going to Lower Merion. Yeah, they think he’s got a chance,” the trainer said. He meant a chance at the NBA and Legler said, “Yeah, I think so.”

NBA legends are still inspired by Black Mamba

The 56-year-old star was not the only one left in awe of the young Bryant. Gilbert Arenas would also share how he became a better player under Bryant. There are many players who have personal experience with the ‘Mamba Mentality.’

READ MORE: NBA Legend Kobe Bryant’s Ex-Trainer Savagely Grills Dwayne Johnson Over His ‘Chubby’ Physique

Two years after he faced off with Jones, Bryant was declared for the 1996 NBA draft. Not many teams were ready to risk it on a high school prospect. Bryant fatefully ended up with the Lakers and Jones’ teammate. We wonder if their past matchup ever came up in conversation.

Legler’s prediction came through. And when he switched to sportscasting, he’d have many opportunities to watch Kobe Bryant play. And perhaps he feels a little prophetic about that “scrawny” teen who went on to win five championships.

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