The late, great Kobe Bryant was not only one of the most talented players the NBA has ever seen, but he was also one of the greatest competitors in basketball history.
The L.A. Lakers icon won five NBA Championships and a slew of individual awards throughout his storied career, but Bryant stood out with his ultra-competitive nature and unparalleled drive to win at all costs.
Kobe Bryant - Career NBA Accolades
Hall of Fame Class of 2020
5-Time NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
2007-08 NBA MVP
2-Time NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
15-Time All-NBA
12-Time NBA All-Defense
2-Time NBA Scoring Champion
18-Time NBA All-Star
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
There have been countless stories about The Black Mamba's run-ins with both opponents and teammates over the years. Whether it was his fight with Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller early in his career, or the numerous verbal feuds with teammates in practice, Kobe never backed down from a confrontation, and knew exactly how to get under people's skin.
That confrontational nature extended to all aspects of Bryant's life, and was an essential part of his relationships with his teammates.
And as his former teammate Rick Fox recently said on the Giant Ideas Podcast, Bryant only respected those who would reciprocate that confrontational energy.
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Fox Says Bryant Only Respected Those Who Fought Back
"Kobe doesn't respect you unless you challenge him"
Rick Fox spent seven seasons with Kobe Bryant on the Lakers, signing with Los Angeles in free agency in 1997, just after Kobe's rookie season.
It didn't take long for Fox to understand what drove his young superstar teammate, and what he needed to do to get on his good side.
"Kobe, you need to fight. Kobe doesn't respect you unless you challenge him, like all the way up to fighting. Physically fighting. And he and I had our share of fights in practice. Physical fights," Fox said about the shooting guard. "But that was his basketball love language. If you didn't back down to him, then he respected you. And a lot of people didn't actually get that because he was Kobe Bryant.
"So if you won't fight me, and I'm the biggest, baddest animal, as they would feel they are in the jungle — then how do I know you got my back? How do I know you're going to cover my back?"
Fox likened Bryant's mindset to that of his idol, Michael Jordan, who was also well-known for being highly-competitive and very demanding of his teammates.
"So if he challenged you, the natural thing to do would be to wilt — right? Especially if you're a younger player coming up. But that was his way, similar to Michael Jordan — their way of testing whether or not they could trust you in the foxhole," Fox explained. "If things went down, are you going to wilt, fold, and run away? Or are you going to stand with me and fight?"
Fox Explains Difference Between Kobe and Shaq
"Shaq wanted the love and attention"
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers hold NBA Finals trophys
During his stint in Los Angeles, Fox got to rub shoulders with another NBA great in legendary center Shaquille O'Neal, who was the top dog for the Lakers during their NBA title three-peat from 2000 to 2002.
Despite all their success together, we now know that Shaq and Kobe did not get along during their eight seasons together, due to their very different personalities clashing on and off the court.
Fox explained that while Bryant was often at odds with teammates as he tried to get the best out of them, O'Neal just yearned for affection and appreciation, hoping to receive the same love he radiated around the locker room.
"Shaq being different—Shaq needed the attention. He wanted the love and appreciation for being a benevolent king, which he was," Fox said. "If you respected him, if you acknowledged that it was his team, he was there to serve you. Everything was for you. And if he felt you needed him—oh man, did he show up in big ways. Other than that, he needed to have fun."
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