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EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. – APRIL 30, 2013. Kobe Bryant talks with reporters after his exit interview with the Lakers on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at the team’s training facility in El Segundo. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. – APRIL 30, 2013. Kobe Bryant talks with reporters after his exit interview with the Lakers on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at the team’s training facility in El Segundo. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Kobe is a much-revered figure in basketball, drawing much love from almost every corner. Well, almost. On a recent episode with VLAD TV, Smush Parker once again spoke about his infamous history with Bryant, this time adding some more context.
Parker has already revealed how he was disrespected by the legend during their time together. And curiously, why he never liked the Black Mamba’s playing style.
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“I don’t think I wasn’t a fan, that’s what it was, you know, I wasn’t a fan of a Kobe Bryant type player. I’m not saying I wasn’t a fan of Kobe Bryant! I wasn’t a fan of a Kobe Bryant-type player.” He continues that with players like Bryant, they take a high volume of shots. But according to him, true potential is shown when players have more efficient shots and not just a high number of shots taken.
“I’m more of a KD type player: efficiency; I’m more of uh you know if if you’re going to shoot, shoot to make it, not shoot because I’m open and or I have the power to shoot so I’m going to shoot every time I get it no if you’re going, to uh if you’re going to shoot you know at least have make it high quality shots.” He goes on to name players like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry who are, according to him, far more efficient shooters, preferring that style of play.
Some people might have their opinion that what Parker is saying makes a lot of sense. But then again, this could also stem from the fact that Kobe and Parker never got along in real life.
Read More: Former Lakers Star Reveals Why He Was Unhappy Playing With Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade
What added fuel to the fire to their rivalry?
Right when they were playing together at the Los Angeles Lakers, some speculations had started on how Parker was ignoring Bryant. However, according to the former point guard, he was just following his coach’s instructions.
“Phil Jackson the coach addresses the team and in the many meetings that we had it was like, “listen, Kobe’s going to get his shots we don’t need to force him to ball because that’s where a lot of our turnovers come from”, and he kept reiterating this throughout.”
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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – JAN. 13, 2015. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant warms up before a game against the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
So Parker insists he followed his coach’s instructions, but Bryant thought he was being disrespectful. Both of them throughout their careers would go on to take unnecessary jibes at each other. Do you think their rocky relationship is solely due to these misunderstandings? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Caroline Joseph