As admired he was, it would’ve been a dream come true for many to outclass the great Kobe Bryant. And it seems the significance of ever achieving this feat was quickly realized by some. One among the many was Jamal Crawford’s son at just 5 years of age. But the Mamba also ensured a takeaway for the little one in the instance.

Crawford recalled when his then 5-year-old son wanted to go talk to Kobe after a game. Receiving the nod of approval from his father, the kid actually went up to Black Mamba and invited him for a 1-on-1 game at his house. The 5x NBA champ, on a lighter note, asked Jamal’s son if he was going to cross him over (Crawford’s popular signature move) like his father.

The 5-year-old naturally said he would. “He [Kobe] said, ‘well, you wouldn’t cross me over… I’ll just post you up. But don’t ever lose that mentality. Don’t ever change that,'” Crawford recalled. The ex-Clippers star has also treasured the photo of his son and Kobe during the interaction, being an avid supporter of Kobe Bryant and his legacy himself.

“Guarding him was like no other. He was literally the best player I’ve ever played against… Had no fear. He can go 1-for-15 and think he was hot,” Crawford said during his appearance on Run It Back. This came from the former Clippers star, despite admitting it took 7 years for Black Mamba to acknowledge him. An acknowledgment he was vying for.

During an interview with Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, Crawford revealed that his favorite Pro-Am game happened to be one with Bryant in attendance. “Well, I was nervous. Basketball royalty was coming to watch me,” he said. He further admitted wanting to put on a show for the 5x NBA champ and he very well succeeded, putting up a 63-point performance — the highest of his scores in pro-am.

Jamal Crawford got Kobe Bryant’s family’s back even with Black Mamba gone

This came after psychologist and social media personality, Dr. Umar Johnson, made allegations against Vanessa Bryant during his appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast. Johnson accused Vanessa of not using the wealth she inherited from the Black Mamba for the upliftment of communities that include members of color.

The LA Lakers icon’s wife received support from multiple fronts against Umar’s accusations. And one among the many was Jamal Crawford. “Umar is tripping,” he wrote in his IG story, adding that Vanessa does more for the future generations than the most.

Whether Johnson can see it or not is his own problem because not everything is for cameras, Crawford stated. “What I’ve learned in life is ‘those who do, do. Those who don’t, talk about those that do keep doing,'” further read his IG story. Vanessa’s contribution not just to the community but also to further her late husband’s vision for women’s basketball has been evident and amplification of it, saw no shortage.

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Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.