The basketball world spends Monday celebrating Kobe Bryant Day (8/24), a day after the Lakers legend’s birthday.
Several Philly stars have paid tribute to Bryant this week, in honor of the Philly landowner’s first birthday since his tragic passing in late January, from Eagles center Jason Kelce to Phillies’ left fielder Bryce Harper.
And on Monday, a truly iconic Philly voice came to grips with his own memory of Kobe: Allen Iverson.
Iverson has delivered a uniform letter to Bryant on the Players Tribune in a way that only Iverson can. He talks about their field battles, the way they inspired each other to be great, and much more.
I really liked one story Iverson from the rookie season 1996-97.
The Lakers had visited Philadelphia back in late November – Los Angeles won, 100-88, and Iverson went six for 27 – but the Sixers made their first trip to LA a month later, for the final game of the calendar year, and the two young guns could find time to hang out.
Enter Iverson’s memory of his formative first pro trip to the West Coast:
Do I remember when I first came to LA for our rookie year? You picked me up at the hotel and we went to eat, and you asked me what I arrived at later.
I said I would go to the club. I mean, we’re in LA! I’m going to the club, Kobe. Come on, man.
And what did you say?
“I’m going back to the gym.”
You are probably the only guy in the history of the game where the mystique is not exaggerated. The Mamba was not a myth, man. It did not even do you justice. One, two, three mornings we knew where you were.
Even at 18 years old, Bryant had that Mamba mentality. That’s some dedication on the next level.
And what’s remarkable about it is where the two players were in their respective careers.
During the ensuing game, Iverson scored 21, Bryant scored zero, and the Lakers won by 13. No one would have accused Bryant of showing he had no role in that year’s team, and going out with Iverson to at least have some fun.
But that was just not Kobe’s way. He knew that if he wanted to be The Guy for the Lakers, he had to take advantage of every moment. And that’s what he did, every day, until he was unstoppable.
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