THROWBACK: Former Celtics Champion Shares His Experience with Lakers’ Rival Kobe Bryant

There are innumerable stories about Kobe Bryant that NBA players have shared in the past. Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins joined the last back in January.

Perkins shared two amazing stories about Kobe dating back to his Celtics and Thunder days. “I remember when we [Boston Celtics] had beaten him in the finals and I am in Las Vegas…

“I go to Vegas and I am sitting outside this spot that I am getting ready to go to… Then I feel somebady come from behind and bear hug me… You know I am thinking that I am about to go sit down in county or something.

“But it was Kobe Bryant and he’s like, ‘Perk what’s up bruh?’ and mind I tell you this was my first time, ever having a conversation with Kobe.

“And he like, ‘Man I just want to tell you man, aye man, it’s all respect and I tell people this all the time man. You are one of the best post defenders that I ever played against’… I am sitting back like Kobe gave me a compliment.”

After losing against the Celtics superteam in 2008, Kobe exacted revenge in 2010, where he and the Lakers defeated them in the NBA Finals. That marked the 5th and final championship of Kobe’s illustrious career.

However, Perk told another story about Kobe, during the time he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kobe Bryant took trash talking to the next level against Kendrick Perkins

Kobe was known for his competitive nature and Mamba mentality during his career. Bryant put this on full display as Perkins shared an instance from a game against Kobe.

“I was in Oklahoma City, I switch out on him on the pick and roll and there’s five second, we are on the defensive end. I am feeling like, let me see it then Kobe.

“He hit me with a move and I stumble in and out, he hit a three. We running back down the court and he is like, ‘Aight, Perk don’t make me tear that other ACL’.”

The Mamba has sadly passed away, but these stories will always keep him alive in the hearts of NBA fans.