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Kobe Bryant was one hell of a player.  He was neither afraid of speaking his mind nor of offending someone with his honest remarks. One particular ESPN analyst was no exception. Years after Bryant scolded the 56-year-old, Kobe’s fanbase has now joined in to bash the ESPN employee. Of course, this isn’t just any old fan. Ice Cube called the Black Mamba one of his “heroes”. And it looks like the loyalty to Bryant has stayed in the family.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Following the analyst’s controversial act of omitting Bryant from his list of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers players, Ice Cube’s son’s comment attracted the fans’ attention. Clearly, Kobe’s fanbase possesses the same grit and intensity that immortalized the 5-time NBA champion.

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O’Shea Jackson roasted Stephen A. Smith for his Kobe take

While people widely recognize Kobe Bryant’s greatness, many also have witnessed his strong persona. People loved and admired him. However, there were some controversies as well that marred his fame.

WATCH THIS STORY: “He Passed That Sunday”: Shaquille O’Neal’s 66YO Buddy Reminisces the “Surreal” Moment When the World Lost NBA Legend, Kobe Bryant

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It could be for that reason that Smith left out the legend from his list of Lakers’ greats. However, fans of the Black Mamba were not going to the matter lightly. As numerous netizens criticized the 56-year-old, O’Shea Jackson also joined the netizens to share his opinion.

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Indirectly calling out the host, the son of famed rapper Ice Cube, wrote on X, “People talkin real crazy because they can’t get them phone calls from Bean no more.” 

Jackson might have indicated that Smith got the courage to exclude Bryant because the legend is no more with us. He wouldn’t receive a call from the Lakers legend, like he has before.

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Smith was scared of Kobe Bryant’s phone call

Kobe Bryant is the same player, who once accidentally broke his opponent’s nose and showed no remorse for his actions. Instead, he advised the player that he should have stayed out of his way.

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It’s no surprise that Smith received a threatening voicemail after making negative comments about Bryant on live TV. Here is the message in case you didn’t know. “You know who this is motherfuc**.. Pick up the fuc* phone and call.”

Reportedly, Kobe added, “Don’t keep me waiting for so long either, your a** better not go on the air and say some other shi* before you talk to me.”

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READ MORE: “WTF”: Disgruntled NBA Fans Unleash Wrath On $16,000,000-Rich Company After Massive Kobe Bryant News Hits Online Platforms

A quintessentially Kobe-style response! Later, Stephen A. Smith admitted how the legend “scared the living sh*t out of” him. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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Pritha Debroy

3,476 Articles

Pritha Debroy works with the NFL Lifestyle Desk at EssentiallySports, where she explores the league beyond the sidelines and focuses on the cultural nuances of football. Bringing a fresh perspective shaped by her background in basketball lifestyle stories and cross-sport expertise, she highlights how NFL athletes build influence off the field. A graduate of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, our in-house initiative that trains writers under industry experts, Pritha specializes in long-form features and player-driven stories that capture the evolving identity of today’s NFL stars. Pritha combines her passion for storytelling with a thoughtful approach to sports culture and lifestyle. With strong communication skills and an eye for detail, she brings a distinctive voice to NFL journalism, delivering engaging and insightful content that resonates with readers.

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Aakash Nair

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