(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Kendrick Perkins experienced many things during his time in the NBA but few moments had as significant an impact as one interaction between him and Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant.
Speaking on First Take, the current basketball analyst talked about an encounter he once had with Bryant.
Bryant pulled him aside, said that he was a “dog,” and also claimed that Perkins was one of the best defensive centers in the league.
“Y’all really don’t understand at 25 years old what that meant to me. For him to have the basketball mind and recognize me to that capability…man, that was one of the best moments of my life,” Perkins said.
.@KendrickPerkins shared a moment he had with Kobe Bryant that greatly impacted his career
“Y’all really don’t understand at 25 years old what that meant to me.” pic.twitter.com/BKNA0FLWkS
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 7, 2023
Bryant has been gone for several years now but we continue to hear stories like this one.
Multiple stars, both young and old, have talked about the way that Bryant spoke with them, inspired them, commended them, or challenged them to do better.
Although his career was filled with historic milestones, championships, and records, his one-on-one impact with others is a major reason why Bryant is still so iconic.
The league has changed a lot since Bryant joined it and it has changed even more since he retired and passed away.
But it’s no coincidence that current NBA stars are still modeling themselves after Bryant and his “Mamba Mentality.”
Young stars such as Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, and others have all stated that Bryant is the hero they still look up to.
It’s not just because of the way he ruled the court but also because of the way he treated fellow players behind the scenes.
This story from Perkins is a true testament to that.
The post Kendrick Perkins Reveals How Kobe Bryant Impacted His Career appeared first on The Cold Wire.