LOS ANGELES, CA — Former three-time NBA champion Laker and former head coach Byron Scott reflected on his mentoring days of a young Kobe Bryant in 1996 as he watched the evolution of the Black Mamba into a five-time NBA champion, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and one of the greatest players to ever play the game.
“He was driven, he was single-minded even at 18 years old. He had a real good idea of what he wanted to accomplish in the NBA and did it the right way, he put in the work,” Scott said.
Scott was fortunate enough to not only be a mentor early in Bryant’s career but also coach him in the final game where he scored 60 points. The two have always shared a bond over the years that was unbreakable and full of respect.
“To see everything that Kobe accomplished, I’m not surprised, because I was able to see his first year as a rookie (with) his work ethic, dedication, determination, and passion for the game,” Scott said.
Over the course of the last few years, the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate has seemingly only included Michael Jordan and LeBron James, appearing as if Bryant never existed or produced greatness on the court. With all of the debates and arguments, it bothers Scott a little bit when Bryant isn’t mentioned more in those conversations.
“Yeah, I mean most of the time when I hear that conversation, I always say don’t forget about KB. Don’t forget about that man,” Scott said.
Even though he believed that James should be more compared to the great former Lakers guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Bryant is closer to Jordan in several ways, the debates between the media and fans will continue. However, there is one thing Scott made very clear about Bryant.
“I love the fact that there’s always going to be conversations, but Kobe in his era, I think was the greatest player in his era.”
