“Told Kobe Bryant to Bug off”: When Black Mamba Paid $3 to Annoy an Amusement Park Shop Owner

Kobe Bryant is perhaps one of the most competitive players in history. Having modeled his game after Michael Jordan, Bryant’s entire persona oozed a killer mentality. Many believe that Bryant built this persona over time. However, in reality, Kobe was always this way. Jeff Pearlman, in his book Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil and the Crazy Years of the Lakers Dynasty, wrote how his competitiveness was as pronounced when he was in school. Pearlman revealed that once Bryant went on a school trip to an amusement park and irritated one of the stall owners with his relentless competitiveness.

By the time of retirement, Bryant developed a personality that commanded everyone’s respect. He was a winner through and through. Every practice, every decision, only led him toward greatness.

But Kobe had this instilled in him early on. Even children’s games that everyone would see as amusement riled up something deep inside Kobe. H treated them the same way he would treat a championship game, with no fear and just the singular decision to win it all.

Kobe Bryant won two ‘elephants’ at an amusement park stall

Apparently, in high school, Kobe Bryant had no interest in enjoying himself like an average kid his age. Instead, even then, all that Bryant could focus on was winning.

Jeff Pearlman, in his book Three-Ring Circus: Kobe, Shaq, Phil and the Crazy Years of Lakers Dynasty, wrote of the time the Balck Mamba went to Hersheypark on a school trip. While in the amusement park, his classmate asked for his help to win a stuffed toy elephant in a free throw game.

After Bryant won the first elephant, he paid another $3 to have a go once again. Unsurprisingly, he won the second round too along with another elephant. After his second-round win, the owner got irritated and asked Kobe Bryant to leave. Pearlman wrote of this interaction in detail.

“On a school trip to Hersheypark, a student named Susan Freedland asked his assistance in helping her win a stuffed animal at a free throw shooting stall. Classmates gathered around, laughing, giggling. But Kobe stoically grabbed a ball, lined up, stared down the rim, and shot—swish. Shot again—swish. Shot again—swish. Susan was handed a blue elephant with green tusks, and thanked Kobe for his assistance. But he wasn’t done. He returned to the game, plunked down another $3. Shot again—swish. Shot again—swish. The man running the booth—agitated, defeated—surrendered another elephant and told (Kobe) Bryant to bug off.”

Kobe carried this instinct with him throughout his life

This isntinct that governed the very being of the Lakers legend stayed with him all his life. Bryant remained a cut throat competitior before his career, during his career, and after his career.

After retiring from NBA, he was dedicated to helping his daughter become an exceptional basketball. Unfortunately, Kobe met with a tragic accident in 2020. The world has mourned his and Gianna’s loss since.