Anthony Davis recalls this brilliant encounter with Lakers legend Kobe Bryant ahead of his Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame induction.
Advertisement
Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was a magnanimous personality who always inspired people in and around him. The shooting guard had various moments during his illustrious career where he showed ‘Mamba Mentality’ which again inspired a generation to take up the sport all over the globe.
Players often share anecdotes and memories of their interaction with Kobe to keep the legend alive in their memory. Lakers star Anthony Davis recently reminisced an encounter with the Black Mamba during The Brow’s New Orleans Pelicans days.
In his post-practice zoom session with the reporters, AD recalled a game way back in January 2015 where he crossed roads with Kobe as the Pelicans played the Lakers. It was a tough outing for the 36-year old shooting guard as he dislocated his shoulder mid-game. But he still wanted to carry on suggesting to his coach that he would shoot left-handed.
AD reminisced how Kobe Bryant played on with a dislocated shoulder and took shots with his left hand
This is how Anthony Davis described his surreal experience watching Kobe Bryant on the basketball court with an injury:
“I was sitting on the bench and Quincy Pondexter was guarding him. I think the play before, Kobe had dunked and dislocated his right shoulder. There was a timeout, the next play he comes down, catches the ball in the post — no one knew it was dislocated, though, he was just holding his shoulder.”
“I figured something was bothering him. And then he came down the next play and hit a turnaround jumper left-handed from the post. That always sticks in my head.”
“For a guy to dislocate his shoulder and continue to play, come down and say ‘F– it, I’m going to shoot left-handed, I can do it. I can get a bucket with either hand’ was just insane to me.”
“And then the first time I’ve seen it — I mean, I’ve seen guys shoot left-handed like that — but to do it in a game where it counts and it matters is just so unreal. So that’s one of my favorite Kobe moments for sure.”
Davis was totally awestruck by the competitive spirit of Kobe on that night. Mostly on how he braved the pain and still connected shots. But the night did not exactly go the way AD described as Kobe Bryant was mostly on the bench in the fourth quarter. However, the Black Mamba did check in late in the game and scored a reverse pivot turnaround jumper beating Pontdexter all ends up.
Kobe had this nonchalant attitude after the game as he explained how he was averaging 40 with a torn labrum. “I averaged 40 a whole month on a torn labrum.”
The Lakers legend will be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2020. Michael Jordan will be presenting the ceremony as his wife, Vanessa Bryant will give the induction speech.
