Kobe Bryant was one vocal person. He used to voice his opinions, his advice, and also his slang. When it comes to savage talks and savage replies, no one could beat or even come close to beating Kobe Bryant. Kobe had a reply for anything and everything.

The legend was big on trash talk, as big as he was on his game. He looked for opportunities to get back at players who disrespected him or his team. Gary Vitti, former head athletic trainer of the LA Lakers, shared one such incidence.

Kobe Bryant gives it back to Paul Pierce

Who doesn’t know about the Paul Pierce heroics against the Lakers? In game one of the NBA Finals of 2008, Paul Pierce was taken off the court in a wheelchair as he was mincing in pain. It seemed like he had suffered a major injury and might not even return for the whole series, let alone the game. But, in a few minutes, he came back jumping and was all ready to play. He returned and made the Celtics win the match and later even the series.

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Now, fast forward to April 12, 2013, when the Lakers were playing to save their playoff seat. The team had won 8 of their last 9 matches and were now playing against young and fast Golden State Warriors. Kobe had been putting in large numbers and minutes every game. Three minutes left in the game, Kobe was trying to drive around Harrison Barnes and was fouled. He felt something tweak and pop.

He sat down mincing in pain. Gary Vitti knew it was Achilles. Kobe even tried to find ways to play- run on heels, walk or just do something, but Gary knew it was not possible. Kobe’s season had ended there.

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Unbelievably so, still, he walked to the locker room with that injury, and even came back to shoot the free throws. He shot them and left. Gary Vitti suggested he be taken with assistance off the court. But, Kobe chose to walk on his own with very little help. In Gary’s words “That’s what he chose to do” considering his ‘Mamba Mentality’

Gary knew this was like a method of Kobe getting back at Paul for Game 1, saying that I will walk my way back even with such a huge injury. This savage mentality, the ‘Mamba Mentality’ of Kobe Bryant was what made him special and a legend.

Kobe was a player like none other and there can only be one Black Mamba ever.