Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond: ‘A Guy Would Do a Move on Kobe Bryant. The Next Day He Was Working on It.’

Published 11/26/2021, 12:30 PM EST

One can list a plethora of reasons why Kobe Bryant became the legend he was, and always will be. His unmatched skills on the court, his thirst to win, just like that of Michael Jordan, and consistently working on his craft, are amongst the most common reasons that everybody mentions. But that’s what made the man who he was. In fact, one of his former teammates, Mitch Richmond has the best insight into how the ‘Mamba mentality worked.

When the Los Angeles Lakers legend passed away in a horrific helicopter accident last year, along with his daughter Gigi Bryant and seven others, the NBA fraternity was shaken. From family, friends, fans, to everyone who ever knew Kobe, the news was something that people were unable to digest.

However, the mark that Kobe left and how he helped mold the league into what it is today, is something that nobody will ever forget. So, since then, people have been finding ways to keep his memory alive. Either they talk about how he inspired them, what they learned from, or that ‘Kobe story’ that they can never forget.

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And believe it or not, they have continued to roll out even now. But this time, Hall of Famer, as well as Kobe’s teammate at the Lakers for two seasons, had something incredible to reveal about Bryant.

WATCH THIS STORY: Michael Jordan’s Iconic Poster on Patrick Ewing, Kobe Bryant Dunking on Dwight Howard & Other Dunks That Ended Careers

Kobe Bryant never gave up on perfecting his craft

There is a big difference between being good, great, and a legend. Those who feel content with how much they achieve or how good they are, never focus on improving themselves. Whereas, Kobe was something different altogether. Despite being considered one of the greatest to ever step on to the court, he made sure that he never got tired of learning and improving himself.

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As Mitch appeared on Fubo Sports, he spoke about the inspiring quality of his former teammate. “Playing with Kobe was… like he was a sponge,” Richmond started off.

“You would go and play a game, a guy would do a move on him. The next day, he was working on that move. I mean working on the move the guy just did on him. He just took it all in.”

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This hardly comes as a surprise because this quality of Kobe’s was always visible and it’s what he is most remembered for.

Kevin Garnett: ‘I Just Saw Kobe Bryant Turn Into This Animal’

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.

Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond: ‘A Guy Would Do a Move on Kobe Bryant. The Next Day He Was Working on It.’

Kobe Bryant never gave up on perfecting his craft

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