?Didn?t Come Up Here for This?: NBA Legend, Who Once Focused on Annoying the Black Mamba, Unraveled Another Layer to Kobe Bryant?s Competitive Spirit

Every athlete has a default competitive streak when it comes to games and matches but Hall of Famer Michael Jordan probably possessed a truckload of it. However, it might be safe to say that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was not far behind in terms of displaying that particular trait. While many still struggle to get over his untimely demise, the NBA world continues to recall fond memories of the Lakers icon that reminds them of his admirable dedication to the game of hoops. One such incident was recently shared by a basketball veteran that only went on to prove that the Lakers legend was by no means an easy-going athlete.

Kobe left behind an incredible legacy that is still talked about to this date. During his two-decade stint with the LA Lakers, he led his team to five championship titles that included a historic three-peat victory.

Kobe Bryant never went easy on his opponents

While the Black Mamba was always ready to strike during the competitive games, he never gave them leeway irrespective of the occasion or purpose. In a recent episode of I Am Athlete podcast, Boston Celtics veteran Paul Pierce recalled an incident that took place when he teamed up with Kobe for an off-court project. When one of the co-hosts asked Pierce to share an incident that involved the Lakers legend, a particular commercial shoot was the first thing that came to his mind.

The 2008 NBA champion relayed he had met up with Bryant and several other players to shoot for an ad, and Pierce was matched up against Kobe. The Celtics legend was required to move past Bryant and take a shot. Given that it was just a commercial, Pierce had thought that it would be an easy shot. However, that all changed when the 18x All-Star repeatedly knocked the ball out of Pierce’s hand.

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Pierce said, “I gotta go hard now. He really trying to play defense. I’m like, ‘Dawg, I didn’t come up here for this’. So now, I’m like ‘Oh d*mn, he wasn’t gonna let me skeet the shot’. Like, they wanted to see me shoot the shot and make it.”

Furthermore, he added, “That’s how hard he went every time. He was not feeling me, anyone. He didn’t want that shot.”

Pierce wanted to annoy the Black Mamba

Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant went head-to-head during the 2008 NBA Finals where the Boston Celtics beat the Lakers to win their 17th championship title. During a 2021 interview with The Athletic, former teammate Leon Powe recalled how Pierce was determined to prove his worth by going up against one of the best players in the league. The 10x All-Star had taken up the job of guarding Kobe during the finals just to motivate his teammates.

He said, “Of course, I want to annoy Kobe. Of course, I want to lock him down. Of course. When your teammates see you taking the lead on that, it inspires them. They?re like, ‘Damn, Paul gonna pick him up and take on that challenge.? That let everybody know that I got him, and they?re like, ‘I gotta do my job over here if he?s doing that’.”

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Pierce’s efforts ended up boring fruitful results as the Celtics defeated Kobe’s Lakers by 131-92 in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals.