“… He retired on that last shot in Utah” — claimed Kobe Bryant about Michael Jordan being the only one who could beat him 1-on-1. Anyone aware of Mamba Mentality knew it wasn’t about if the claim was actually true. But about the winning mindset of the LA Lakers icon. However, if we do come to the factual side of the claim, it turns out there was one who beat Bryant in 1-on-1.

It was the Detroit Pistons star, John Salley. Now some may find it hard to believe. Especially considering that by the time Salley got to the Lakers he was averaging his career low at 1.6 ppg. Meanwhile, Black Mamba had reached the point of averaging 22.5 ppg.

No wonder Salley revealed on Byron Scott’s Fast Break that no one would believe he beat Kobe Bryant every day until he got the 5x NBA champ to admit it.

“We get on The Best Damn Sports Show and I said, ‘Kobe we played 1-on-1 every day, who won?’ And he shakes his head, he goes, ‘he beat me’…” Salley said on the podcast. And it turns out Spider is telling the truth, as Bryant actually admitted the very same fact. “He used to beat me every day… He used to beat me every day.”

If you’re wondering how exactly Salley made this happen, he once revealed the tactics in an episode of All The Smoke. Given his height and experience, Salley would use his size advantage to back down Bryant in their games. The games were 7 points and the 4x NBA champ would get the ball first because of his seniority.

“… I would just back him down and score and let him score, and back up until he realized. I said, ‘Dude, I’m never going to lose this,'” Salley recalled. But do not to mistake any of this for any negativity against Black Mamba on John’s part. He had nothing but immense respect for the 5x NBA champ.

John Salley believes Kobe Bryant to be the greatest Laker ever

Spider held the 5x NBA champ in the highest regard, naming him the greatest Laker of all time. Salley, who played alongside Kobe during the Lakers’ dominant years with Shaquille O’Neal, made this bold statement despite the franchise’s rich history, which includes legends like Magic Johnson and Jerry West.

“Even though Jerry West was on the squad, the greatest Laker of all time is Kobe Bryant,” he said, visibly moved while discussing the Black Mamba’s influence. And it’s not just about Kobe’s five championships. Salley admired how Kobe remained deeply involved with the Lakers even after he retired.

“… You know his agent becomes the general manager. I’m sure he has some say so,” Salley said on VLAD TV. While there is no concrete way of determining John’s claim about the greatest Laker, Kobe Bryant’s legacy provides a solid evidence for the claim. And no, losing a 1-on-1 to the 6’11” Salley just may not lay a scratch.