“Nobody Wanted to Play With Kobe Bryant”: Former NBA Player Opens Up on the Negative Side of His Game
Follow Us
When Kobe Bryant was coming into the NBA after his high school career, many already regarded him as a talented prospect. At 17, Bryant was involved in a scrimmage with professional players where he showcased his skill.
While many usually talk about Kobe’s skills to beat players one-on-one, former NBA player Jerry Stackhouse talked about the negative side of his game. Stackhouse, who was a part of the initial scrimmages with Bryant, felt that the Lower Merion High School graduate wouldn’t pass the ball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“What happened with Kobe was nobody really wanted to play with Kobe,” Stackhouse said on The Woj Pod. “Lionel Simmons, you used to always see him pulling Kobe to the side, like, ‘Man, you gotta pass the ball! You gotta learn how to do this!’ Because the older guys were from Philly. These stories kind of take on a life of their own. And yes, Kobe had some good days scoring the ball, because he could handle it so well. But he had tunnel vision at that point. You had pickup games, sometimes he didn’t even get picked up.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jerry Stackhouse did not admit that 17-year-old Kobe Bryant could beat him consistently
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Many regard Bryant highly for his one-on-ones and scrimmages with professional players at the age of 17. However, Stackhouse believed that only those present at that time would know of Bryant’s shortcomings while also praising him.
“Because he’s so been great since this, these stories go back of ‘Oh, he beat Stackhouse one-on-one.’ Come on, man. Me at 20 years old, can you imagine a 17-year-old beating me consistently? I’d have hurt him first, real talk. Just physically, that could never happen to me. Did we play one-on-one? Yes. Did he beat me, did he maybe win a game? Yes. Did he consistently beat Jerry Stackhouse at 20 years old when he was 17? Hell no. I’m putting an end to that story. … Was he super talented and everyone saw great potential in him? Yes, but those scenarios … of Kobe Bryant, they’re a little bit of a different story when you go talk to people that were actually in the gym,” Stackhouse said.
Trending
Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series
April 17, 2024 06:48 PM EDT
Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?
April 13, 2024 06:21 PM EDT
Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer
March 16, 2024 06:41 PM EDT
Is Hailey Van Lith Still Dating NBA Star Jalen Suggs?
September 05, 2023 04:04 PM EDT
Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract
April 16, 2024 05:20 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us