During its existence, the NBA has had some truly special talent. But, more than just the numbers and accolades, they have been the model for other all-time greats to follow. For every Michael Jordan, there was a Kobe Bryant ready to study and master his craft. But what happens when that greatness is visible in a contemporary?

For the same Kobe Bryant, watching Allen Iverson come into the league as a much better player was a big source of contention. As a result, it even led to the Los Angeles Lakers legend trashing his hotel room after one of their early matchups.

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During the game, the Philadelphia 76ers legend would tally 25 points. On the other hand, Bean would score just 2 points in 5 minutes. Hence, the doubt, the jealousy, and the exaggerated reaction. As the story goes, Bryant was instantly ‘obsessed’.

Rachel Nichols, in an interview with AI, would reveal the story to the 6-footer. “He became, in his words, obsessed with you.” After that game, the story truly begins. Because a livid Kobe would end up causing some serious property damage.

Quoting Bryant, Nichols said, “When I checked into my hotel room later that night, I saw the 35. He said, ‘I lost it. I flipped the table, threw the chairs, broke the TV… I obsessively read every article and book I could find about AI. Watched every game he played going back to high school.’ He said he studied shark attack videos to study the angles that he could approach you at because you moved so fast that he thought that might help him.” 

While the story might sound surprising, or even shocking, Iverson doesn’t find it out of the ordinary. “That’s Kobe Bryant.” Later on, the 4x scoring champion would go on to explain what set The Mamba apart from the rest.

How jealousy gave way to respect for Kobe Bryant

Eventually, the two exports of the 1996 NBA Draft came to view each other in a wholly respectful way. Due to their shared love for the game, along with the intense battles, including the 2001 NBA Finals, there was genuine admiration for one another present.

As Iverson would describe, “With Kobe, it was so different, where it was like, ‘Phil [Jackson], I want the assignment…I’ve never seen somebody as competitive like him but Mike [Michael Jordan]. That’s it.”

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For the man he wrote a heartbreaking letter for, the feeling became mutual. After the incident of trashing the hotel room, the 5x NBA Champion came to appreciate AI and his talents. As a result, he would extend the same love of the GOAT conversation towards him. “We all should be fortunate that Allen Iverson isn’t 6’5, otherwise it would have been over for the league.” 

Safe to say, Kobe did a ton of growth between the hotel room incident and his later comments. Thankfully, Iverson is more than willing to extend that same love and respect.

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