Even the best defenders in the NBA feared guarding the Black Mamba. From his demeanor on the court to the way he approached every possession, guarding Kobe Bryant was similar to getting stranded on an island with no hope of anyone saving you. One of the best defenders of his time, Shane Battier, who has opened up about his battles with Bryant before, revealed how the Los Angeles Lakers legend earned his respect despite Kobe getting the better of him repeatedly.

During his appearance on The Draymond Green Show, Battier admitted that he did not like guarding Kobe. “We were frenemies. We had this like weird passive-aggressive relationship. I never spoke to him outside of the gym.” Despite this, there was one truth he had to confess. “There is no one I respected more for his mind.“

Battier further revealed how he got “butterflies in the stomach” whenever he prepared to go up against the “relentless” Bryant. “He’s gonna try and embarrass me tonight,” Battier feared before facing the Black Mamba every time. He also opened up about how Kobe would try to throw him off his game.

“Some days he’d come out and be all buddy-buddy… the next day he wouldn’t even look at me.” He added, “He was always like ice and fire with me, just trying to throw me off.” The former Miami Heat forward also pointed out how Kobe acknowledged him in his book, ‘The Mamba Mentality‘ and he was shocked that the Lakers icon understood him so well.

This isn’t the first time Battier has revealed his admiration for the 18x All-Star. During his appearance on the Knuckleheads podcast last year, he opened up about the term ‘Kobe Island’.

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The Kobe Island

‘Kobe Island’ is a term that is now used in the basketball world to describe when a player is isolated on the court due to Kobe Bryant’s intensity and his style of play. It signifies being left alone against the relentless offensive and defensive madness of the Black Mamba. He made it seem as if they were stranded on an island with no way out.

Battier said, “Kobe Island is when you are guarding Kobe Bryant and you turn around and you got no help side defense. So you are on an island.” When probably the best defender of his generation fears guarding you, you are doing something right.

While resentment may have brewed on the court due to his play, many players have acknowledged the influence Kobe had on their careers. His relentless work ethic, dedication to the game, and pursuit of greatness serve as an inspiration for countless athletes to this date.

Read More: Standing Tall: A Comparison between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Statues

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