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Laker Kobe Bryant appears to be smiling while the San Antonio Spurs’ Bruce Bowen laments in the third quarter Tuesday in game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center.(LAT photo by ^^^) (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Laker Kobe Bryant appears to be smiling while the San Antonio Spurs’ Bruce Bowen laments in the third quarter Tuesday in game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center.(LAT photo by ^^^) (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant was one of the most decorated players in NBA history. The Mamba made Los Angeles his home as he ran with the city for all his career. Through his time in the league, he gave both players and fans enough memories to cherish. Recently, a former Houston Rockets center revealed how Bryant gave him a big surprise after their matchup.
Kobe was one of the most competitive players in the league. Even to his own teammates, the element of competition always existed in his mind. During games, he would be extremely focused and wouldn’t let anything distract him. With winning as his only objective, his main motive would be to destroy his opponents. However, there were times when the Mamba decided to dial things down.
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Kobe Bryant answers questions during a press conference held at the Lakers training facility in El Segundo, Calif.. Thursday, July 15, 2004. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
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Kobe Bryant gives Parsons the LA experience
As a rookie in the league, Chandler Parsons came in to play the Lakers in 2011. The Rockets came into the Staples Center to face off against the Kobe Bryant Lakers. At the time, Kevin McHale was the coach for Houston. Notably, he had warned his team about the celebrities that would be there and how they shouldn’t fall under the pressure. Another major warning he gave them was how the Mamba would look to go after them.
Come game time, Parsons had Kobe as his assignment. As the fourth quarter approached, he and the Mamba got into a conversation. Kobe asked Parsons if he was planning on staying the night in LA so he could set him up some place good. But Parsons thought it was a joke. However, the Mamba pulled off the unexpected.
Bryant set him up in one of the best places in the city, and Parsons was in utter disbelief. At first, he felt it was a joke, but then he took the chance to invite all his friends in. However, when the waitress came in walking with a bill, he was scared for his life. He said, “I open it and it’s like $22,000. At this point I’m like, I’m sick. I can’t do that like this card is going to bounce. I’ll never forget, this chick looks at me, hands me a pen, and says sign for Mr. Bryant. I sign Kobe Bryant on a $22000 club bill. And everyone is saying he is tough, he is going to go at you. I’m like this dude was cool as f**k. He was awesome.”
It is indeed pleasing to hear a positive Kobe story coming from an opponent, as in most stories, it generally ends in horror for his opponents. However, for Parsons, this remains to be his best memory of Kobe.
