NBA legend Kobe Bryant, one of the best players to ever lace up in the league, showcased unmatched talent and dedication back in his day. Bryant’s hardworking nature earned him a reputation as one of the most diligent stars in the NBA. His ‘Mamba Mentality’ serves as a powerful source of inspiration for both current and aspiring NBA players.
Following his tragic death in 2020, the entire basketball community mourned the loss. Recently former Boston Celtics stars Isaiah Thomas opened up about Bryant.
Isaiah Thomas recently spoke with The Players Tribune about the bond he shared with Kobe Bryant. Thomas revealed that Bryant always mentored him from the moment he entered the league. He credited Kobe’s mentorship for drastically improving his scoring.
Thomas also mentioned that he used to call Bryant at night and they would watch game tapes together to identify areas for improvement. The guidance and support from Bryant played a crucial role in Thomas’ development as a player.
Every night, I knew I was getting 30 [points]. I knew it cuz I just figured it out. I figured the game out inside and out. I watched film every day. I prepared on some Kobe sh**. Like I really did. And he was able to mentor me and really mold me all year. I used to call Kobe at night. We used to watch film, he used to really take his time and watch film with me. My skills were always there, but my mental just took it to a different level.
Isaiah Thomas via Players Tribune
In the 2011 draft, teams had given up on Thomas due to his small height, making him the last pick. However, Thomas, a hard worker, was determined to prove his doubters wrong. He gradually improved his game while playing for the Sacramento Kings, becoming a dependable scorer despite his stature. Upon joining the Boston Celtics, Thomas unleashed his full scoring potential, achieving a career high average of 28.9 points per game.
Isaiah Thomas on Kobe Bryant mentoring him:
“Every night, I knew I was getting 30 [points]. I knew it cuz I just figured it out. I figured the game out inside and out. I watched film every day. I prepared on some Kobe sh*t. Like I really did. And he was able to mentor me and… pic.twitter.com/ysTiE7zdBd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 30, 2024
However, Thomas suffered a hip injury which turned him into a role player and has been in and out of the league.
Kyrie Irving talks about Kobe Bryant and his mentorship
In the game of basketball, fans often praise Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving for having some of the best ball-handling skills. Many consider Irving to be one of the most skilled stars in the league. Irving himself has mentioned that Kobe Bryant served as his mentor during his early days in the league.
During a recent interview with the NBA media, Irving remembered Bryant and discussed his mentorship. Kyrie Irving also reflected on the bond he shared with Bryant and expressed how much he misses him. He even mentioned the support he received from the Bryant family.
I don’t know if anyone in here has ever lost a mentor or lost someone that’s a little bit older than them, meant something to them, even if you guys don’t talk every day, there was still that connection that they were always gonna be there for you.
Kyrie Irving via NBA media
In 2012, Bryant led the USA in the Olympics while Irving was a part of the practice squad that was sent to help Team USA practice. It was the first time they had met. At that time, Bryant was already a superstar in the league, while Irving was trying to make a name for himself in the league.
