“There’s One Thing Kobe Bryant Sucks at”: Rachel Nichols Dug Up LeBron James Bonding with Black Mamba Over a Horrible Game of Golf

In 2008, the second-greatest basketball team in history graced the Olympic court. In it, were some of the biggest names the modern world had seen, and much like the Dream Team, the camaraderie was off the charts. But unlike the Dream Team, the 2008 Team USA had to overcome certain challenges. At the time, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were competing for the crown. So, when they teamed up, the coaching staff and the other players had to step in. Jason Kidd, in his recent ‘Headliners’ interview with Rachel Nichols, revealed he took Bryant and James to golf. Kobe’s lack of skill in the game broke the ice between him and Bron.

The notion that there would be a conflict between Kobe and LeBron was justified. The two were alphas who dominated the league like no other. Everyone, even Dwyane Wade, was a step behind them. So, naturally, when it came to Team USA, everyone thought there would be some ego clashes between the two.

Jason Kidd revealed Kobe Bryant was terrible at golf

Recently, the Dallas Mavericks coach joined Rachel Nichols on the Headliners for an intimate report. Nichols, who had covered Kobe back when he was still active, and Kidd, who faced Kobe in some legendary face-offs, both began talking about the first Redeem Team practice.

When the practice began, everyone was waiting patiently watching how the two would react to each other. It was Jason Kidd’s job to get the two to talk. He would make them hang out off the court. One time, he even took Mamba to golf.

Surprisingly, Kobe turned out to be horrible at golf. When everyone saw the Black Mamba being bad at something, it made things much easier for the team. Everything worked smoothly from that moment on.

Jason Kidd: “Just had to spend time off the court. I give Kobe credit, he doesn’t probably like golf or didn’t like golf but he went to the driving range and then when he went to swing left hand that’s when we knew he was messed up.”

After Jason Kidd and Rachel Nichol discussed how this made him look more human and less like a perfect robot. He was so good at basketball, but being bad at golf, made him more human in everyone’s perspective.

Nichols: “There’s at least one thing he sucks at.”

“They’re both eyeing each other.” LOVED this stuff from Jason Kidd about Kobe and LeBron on the 2008 Olympic team, the practice battles, the 4am workouts – and just how bad Kobe was at golf 😂 Kidd’s full Headliners interview is now streaming on both Showtime & Paramount pic.twitter.com/hjI3wRjBCn

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 8, 2023

Jason Kidd revealed it was great for everybody present to watch the Black Mamba laughing at himself. While he stayed serious on the court, focused on winning, they enjoyed that he was opening up for once.

The 4 AM workouts deepened LeBron James and Kobe’s bond

Jason Kidd further revealed that LeBron James and Kobe Bryant bonded when they started training together early. Bryant had a habit of working out at 4 AM, one night when LeBron came back after partying with Dwyane Wade and other stars, he saw Kobe training.

Some of the players joined Bryant and it became a bonding exercise. He also gave LBJ credit for being funny during the workouts. His antics really made the Lakers legend crack up and become closer to the team.