Late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history, and it wasn’t just because of his accomplishments, which included five world championships, two scoring titles and two NBA Finals MVPs.
He was one tough customer who never backed down from a challenge. In fact, he relished challenges, perhaps as much as anyone who has ever touched a basketball.
Bryant won Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2008 and 2012, which elevated his profile and legacy even more. In 2012, he had a teammate who was one of the few who had the chutzpah to take him head-on: Russell Westbrook.
In fact, a video has been released that shows Westbrook talking trash to the Black Mamba during a Team USA practice (h/t Lakers Daily).
LEAKED Audio Of Russell Westbrook Trash Talking Kobe Bryant In Team USA Practiceđź‘€:
Westbrook: “You can’t do nothing about that one”
Kobe: “Come here and get it”, while also staring him down pic.twitter.com/9QrLAteoWt
— LegendZ (@legendz_nba) September 2, 2023
While Bryant has been almost universally lauded for his chutzpah, Westbrook has been widely criticized for that same quality. He became persona non grata during his brief stint with the Lakers, even though he always gave 100% and proved to be much more durable than teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Perhaps after he retires, Westbrook’s career will be seen in a somewhat better light than it is now, much like the once-polarizing Bryant.