Before retiring in 2016, Kobe Bryant spent his entire two-decade NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The record-setting dunk master went on to win five NBA championships with the Lakers, cementing his place in the NBA and setting his footsteps for his fans.
Recently, former NBA star Byron Scott, who both played with and coached Bryant, shared his thoughts on what made Kobe stand out from other talented players like Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. Speaking on his podcast, “Byron Scott’s Fast Break,” Scott provided a unique perspective on Bryant’s greatness.
“Kobe Bryant was not the most talented player that I’ve seen on the basketball court. Tracy McGrady was more talented, Vince Carter was more talented. But they didn’t have that oomph that Kobe had. And that’s why when he would go against those guys, he would shine,” Scott said.
Scott’s insight is particularly valuable, as he had a rare opportunity to witness Bryant’s growth firsthand. He played with the Lakers when they acquired the rookie Bryant and later coached him.
Kobe Bryant Almost Faced Off Against LeBron James and Vince Carter for the $1 Million NBA Challenge
Like many fans, the NBA itself loved the intense rivalry among basketball legends Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady. According to Carter, this admiration was so strong that the league once offered a whopping $1 million prize to entice these stars to compete in a special contest.
Despite the tempting offer, the stars ultimately backed out at the last minute. Carter shared the story during an episode of “The VC Show.”
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“I know for a fact a couple of years back that the NBA tried this tactic, as far as upping the ante a little bit. A million dollars they threw around to some names like Bron, Kobe, T-Mac; my name was thrown in there, of course, and a few other people for a million dollars,” Carter said.
“But you couldn’t get the commitment from everyone to do it… even I was like, Eh, I’ll wait to see what the field does,” Carter added.
Of the legends mentioned, LeBron James remains the only active player today. Sadly, Kobe Bryant is the only one who is no longer with us, having passed away in 2020 in a tragic helicopter crash. The thought of these iconic players competing against each other in such a contest is now just a fascinating “what if” in NBA history.
