“Why is Kobe Bryant Such a D**k”: When Lakers Veterans Were Stunned by 19-Year-Old Mamba’s ‘Disinterest’ in Them

Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time. He was a superstar by all means. He had the skills, the stats, the trophies, and of course the perfect franchise.

The Black Mamba represented the Los Angeles Lakers from start to finish. A team with world-renowned fame that every serious hooper dreamed of playing for.

However, while he was happy to be on the Lakers, a young Kobe was far more interested in becoming the best. To the point where he had no time to even hang out with his Laker teammates.

Also Read: Kobe Bryant said, tears streaming down his cheeks”: Black Mamba broke down upon getting booed after winning 2002 All-Star MVP in Philadelphia

Kobe Bryant had zero interest in hanging out with his teammates making them think he was a d**k

As a young superstar, Kobe Bryant was focused on one thing, and one thing only. He wanted to become the greatest player to ever step into the hardwood court.

With such lofty ambitions, it is only natural that the young Mamba would have no time for fun or fooling around. As such, there were times when he seems aloof and unapproachable to his Laker teammates.

They were so put off by it that they started to wonder, “Why is Kobe such a d**k?”. As revealed in the book Three-Ring Circus.

“Bryant simply refused to be a part of things. On flights, as the other Lakers played cards and talked trash, Bryant kept to himself, headphones firmly planted in his ears. “I remember he’d watch the movie The Ten Commandments,” recalled one teammate. “That was unusual.” Oftentimes he’d have a pen in hand, notepad on the tray table, scribbling down lyrics for his future hip-hop dominance. On the road, six, seven, eight Lakers would dine together. Kobe? Never. “He was a loner,” said Jon Barry. “He wanted to be great and had no time for anything else. Remember, he was 19. We’re grown men with families. But did it turn people off? Yes.” “There was a lot of ‘This guy is younger than me. Why is he such a dick?’” recalled Uhlenkamp. “Almost like ‘What right did he have?’”

The Lakers players’ reactions were understandable. However, given how his career panned out, you cannot blame the then-youngster.

Kobe had an incredible career that ultimately led to him to the Hall of Famer

Bryant spent 20 seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, where he had an amazing career. Five NBA Championships, two Finals MVPs, a regular season MVP, and multiple All-Star and All-NBA team selections make for a heck of a resume. It comes as no surprise that he is a Hall of Famer.

The Black Mamba is one of the greats, and his legacy as the same will live on forever.

Also Read: “Intimate Partnership That I’d Enjoyed With Michael Jordan”: Troubling Knee Injury Brought 6ft 6″ Kobe Bryant Closer to Phil Jackson