Former US President Donald Trump Once Saved Kobe Bryant From Getting Beaten in an Elevator

Kobe Bryant made his debut in the NBA on November 3, 1996, at 18 years of age. By the time Kobe retired from the NBA, he was well respected around the world. In his decorated career of 20 years, he had won 5 NBA championships, 2 final MVPs. Moreover, he was a 15-time NBA All-Star, 4-time NBA All-Star MVP, and 12-time All-Defensive pick.

Kobe had the talent, the ability, and the mentality to achieve what he did. He was the youngest player in history to be featured in the All-Star game. Bryant was confident in his own abilities and this sometimes rubbed the other players the wrong way. His attitude rubbed a lot of players the wrong way, and one time it also led to an altercation. 

Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams’ elevator fight

An incident when he rubbed someone off the wrong way was when a 19-year-old Kobe Bryant angered Jayson Williams.

The incident between Kobe and Jayson happened in a hotel owned by businessman Donald Trump who later became the president of the US. It got so heated so quickly that Donald Trump had to intervene to stop the fight from igniting.

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Jeff Pearlman recalled this rather unexpected incident during an appearance on ‘The Ryen Russillo’ podcast.

Jeff recalled that Jayson and Kobe were together in the elevator of Grand Hyatt. In the same elevator were Charles Oakley and the owner of the hotel Donald Trump. Jayson Williams said something to Kobe greeting the young player.

Kobe in response replied in a way that did not sit well with Jayson, who as a senior player expected proper respect. He was one of the players just like Oakley, who believed in the code of treating the senior players with respect. Kobe’s attitude infuriated Williams, who then was about to hit Kobe before Trump jumped in.

“He (Williams) lunges after freaking Kobe Bryant and just punching Kobe right in the elevator. I’m not a Donald Trump fan, I guess in one of the few things that I would say Donald Trump deserves credit for, he actually broke up. Donald Trump of all things broke up a fight, or got in the middle of a fight of Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams.”

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Kobe was many things, but the world also knew him for his dark side. The late NBA great was involved in a few controversies, but he owned up to all the things he was not proud of in his life. All in all, he is a legend on the court and off it as well.