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Finally, Kobe Bryant can be one of the guys Finally, Kobe Bryant can be one of the guys
(about 2 hours later)
TORONTO — Here’s how Kobe Bryant used to treat his fellow superstar: One summer in their early 20s, Bryant and Tracy McGrady went overseas on an Adidas promotional tour. Following their daily appearances, they would train together every afternoon, the NBA’s best young shooting guards ignoring the growing “Who’s better?” debate and pushing each other to improve. McGrady thought these were friendly workouts. Bryant grinned and waited to catch T-Mac off guard.TORONTO — Here’s how Kobe Bryant used to treat his fellow superstar: One summer in their early 20s, Bryant and Tracy McGrady went overseas on an Adidas promotional tour. Following their daily appearances, they would train together every afternoon, the NBA’s best young shooting guards ignoring the growing “Who’s better?” debate and pushing each other to improve. McGrady thought these were friendly workouts. Bryant grinned and waited to catch T-Mac off guard.
After one busy afternoon, both tired stars trudged back to the hotel, and Bryant suggested that they skip the training session. McGrady hesitated, Bryant insisted, and they agreed their bodies needed a break. Several hours later, McGrady and a friend were walking and came upon the gym they had adopted on the road. They looked inside.After one busy afternoon, both tired stars trudged back to the hotel, and Bryant suggested that they skip the training session. McGrady hesitated, Bryant insisted, and they agreed their bodies needed a break. Several hours later, McGrady and a friend were walking and came upon the gym they had adopted on the road. They looked inside.
There was Bryant, the man who convinced T-Mac to take a day off, grinding. Liar. Schemer. Competitor. McGrady shook his head and kept walking.There was Bryant, the man who convinced T-Mac to take a day off, grinding. Liar. Schemer. Competitor. McGrady shook his head and kept walking.
Bryant isn’t a fraternity brother. He isn’t a partner; just ask Shaquille O’Neal. He isn’t a bestie. For the past 20 years, he has been the greatest frenemy in the NBA. His basketball associates respect and envy him, but when they refer to him as the Michael Jordan of this era, they’re not conveying reverence as much as intimidation. Dig deeper, and only a few all-stars consider Bryant their favorite or most influential player. Mostly, he’s the killer that they’re too nice, or too stable, to be. [With Wizards languishing, Wall takes his place among all-stars]
Bryant isn’t a fraternity brother. He isn’t a partner; just ask Shaquille O’Neal. He isn’t a bestie. For the past 20 years, he has been the greatest frenemy in the NBA. His basketball associates respect and envy him, but when they refer to him as the Michael Jordan of this era, they’re not conveying reverence as much as intimidation. Dig deeper, and only a few all-stars consider Bryant their favorite or most influential player. Mostly, he’s the killer that they’re too nice — or too stable — to be.
That’s why this NBA All-Star Game finale — the most star-studded goodbye of Bryant’s retirement tour — is so special. For once, the frenemy isn’t looking for an edge. He’s one of the guys, finally, willing to be embraced, willing to do some embracing himself.That’s why this NBA All-Star Game finale — the most star-studded goodbye of Bryant’s retirement tour — is so special. For once, the frenemy isn’t looking for an edge. He’s one of the guys, finally, willing to be embraced, willing to do some embracing himself.
“I’m happy,” Bryant said. “This is pretty cool. I’m looking around the room and seeing guys that I’m playing with that are tearing the league up that were, like, 4 during my first All-Star Game. It’s true. I mean, how many players can say they’ve played 20 years and actually have seen the game go through three, four generations, you know what I mean? It’s not sad at all. I’m really happy and honored to be here and see this.”“I’m happy,” Bryant said. “This is pretty cool. I’m looking around the room and seeing guys that I’m playing with that are tearing the league up that were, like, 4 during my first All-Star Game. It’s true. I mean, how many players can say they’ve played 20 years and actually have seen the game go through three, four generations, you know what I mean? It’s not sad at all. I’m really happy and honored to be here and see this.”
Only Bryant, the often cold-shouldered icon, could unthaw in the sub-zero Canadian climate this weekend. It’s the perfect all-star farewell for him, a player who grew up in Italy highlighting the first all-star event outside of the United States, an athlete who starred in Jordan’s last All-Star Game 13 years ago, handing the league over to the current greats. Only Bryant, the often cold-shouldered icon, could unthaw in the sub-zero Canadian climate this weekend. It’s the perfect all-star farewell for him, a player who grew up in Italy highlighting the first all-star event outside of the United States, an athlete who starred in Jordan’s last All-Star Game 13 years ago, handing the league over to the current greats.
As difficult as some of Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers teammates found it to build rapport with him, it was an impossible task for the league’s other co-stars. Jordan became a phenomenon upon arrival, and for more than half of his NBA career, he was the unquestioned best player in the game. Bryant has had far more personal rivalries. Not imaginary, LaBradford Smith scores to settle — real competitions.As difficult as some of Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers teammates found it to build rapport with him, it was an impossible task for the league’s other co-stars. Jordan became a phenomenon upon arrival, and for more than half of his NBA career, he was the unquestioned best player in the game. Bryant has had far more personal rivalries. Not imaginary, LaBradford Smith scores to settle — real competitions.
If Bryant wasn’t trying to ditch McGrady, it was Vince Carter, or Allen Iverson, or LeBron James, or Dwyane Wade, or Kevin Durant. His fight with O’Neal for top-dog status on the Lakers was public and sometimes vicious, but these other confrontations were subtle. He wasn’t mean, but he wasn’t warm, either. And unlike with Shaq, Bryant didn’t have to apologize for competing with these stars. It seemed he would always come to events such as the All-Star Game with something to prove. If Bryant wasn’t trying to ditch McGrady, it was Vince Carter or Allen Iverson or LeBron James or Dwyane Wade or Kevin Durant. His fight with O’Neal for top-dog status on the Lakers was public and sometimes vicious, but these other confrontations were subtle. He wasn’t mean, but he wasn’t warm, either. And unlike with Shaq, Bryant didn’t have to apologize for competing with these stars. It seemed he always would come to events such as the All-Star Game with something to prove.
But then his body fell apart as he got older. Missing the end of three seasons because of injury has humbled Bryant. Missing the last two all-star events has left him pining for the camaraderie that other players consider the prime perk of being elite. [Early Lead: The latest on the NBA trade deadline]
But then his body fell apart as he got older. Missing the end of three seasons because of injury has humbled Bryant. Missing the previous two all-star events has left him pining for the camaraderie that other players consider the prime perk of being elite.
It’s hard to count stars because there are so many scattered in the sky. Bryant spent most of 20 years trying to ensure that he was memorable, trying to create his own constellation. Now he can look at the entire sky and see the beauty. Where is he? It doesn’t matter anymore. For two more months, he’s still a vibrant part of something special.It’s hard to count stars because there are so many scattered in the sky. Bryant spent most of 20 years trying to ensure that he was memorable, trying to create his own constellation. Now he can look at the entire sky and see the beauty. Where is he? It doesn’t matter anymore. For two more months, he’s still a vibrant part of something special.
“He’s just a little bit more loose,” Durant said of Bryant. “I think years before, on teams that were playoff and championship contenders, he would talk, but he knew it was all about business once he left. So he didn’t want to open up too much and be looked at as, I guess, ‘soft’ in his words. He just opened up more. These last few years, he’s been more of a big brother to us all, and I wish we could have more time around him, but we cherish what we have now and appreciate all he’s done.”“He’s just a little bit more loose,” Durant said of Bryant. “I think years before, on teams that were playoff and championship contenders, he would talk, but he knew it was all about business once he left. So he didn’t want to open up too much and be looked at as, I guess, ‘soft’ in his words. He just opened up more. These last few years, he’s been more of a big brother to us all, and I wish we could have more time around him, but we cherish what we have now and appreciate all he’s done.”
Bryant has joked that he only needs to play 10 minutes on Sunday, and he’ll be fine. He acknowledges that he’s “never been one to really pull any punches,” but he disputes that notion that he’ll try to be the game’s MVP one last time. Stephen Curry told him during practice Saturday that he was going to pass the ball to Bryant every time, and he wanted Bryant to shoot. Bryant dismissed Curry and encouraged the reigning league MVP to show off his own greatness instead. Bryant has joked that he needs to play only 10 minutes Sunday and he’ll be fine. He acknowledges that he’s “never been one to really pull any punches,” but he disputes that notion that he will try to be the game’s MVP one last time. Stephen Curry told him during practice Saturday that he was going to pass the ball to Bryant every time, and he wanted Bryant to shoot. Bryant dismissed Curry and encouraged the reigning league MVP to show off his own greatness instead.
Bryant isn’t fighting against the game anymore. He made his mark. He taught the chummy stars of this era how to compete. He played long enough to see the NBA rise from a sport of eroding appeal to one flourishing with style again.Bryant isn’t fighting against the game anymore. He made his mark. He taught the chummy stars of this era how to compete. He played long enough to see the NBA rise from a sport of eroding appeal to one flourishing with style again.
All legends must let go. Bryant won’t make anyone pry the baton from his hands.All legends must let go. Bryant won’t make anyone pry the baton from his hands.
“I remember when I was a youngster, I think I was in the 10th or 11th grade, and I was watching MJ’s last All-Star Game, so it kind of has that same feeling,” James said. “You know, we have so many great athletes in our game, it’s never one guy that carries the whole load. Our game is made up of so many different makeups, so many different countries, so many different players, shapes, sizes, that we all do our part and make sure the shield is protected.” “I remember when I was a youngster, I think I was in the 10th or 11th grade, and I was watching MJ’s last All-Star Game, so it kind of has that same feeling,” James said. “You know, we have so many great athletes in our game, it’s never one guy that carries the whole load. Our game is made up of so many different makeups, so many different countries, so many different players, shapes, sizes that we all do our part and make sure the shield is protected.”
The shield is intact. The Black Mamba doesn’t need to slither and attack anymore.The shield is intact. The Black Mamba doesn’t need to slither and attack anymore.
At last, Bryant can get the rest that he tricked McGrady into taking more than a decade ago. It doesn’t matter what the other stars are doing now. They’re his friends, once and for all.At last, Bryant can get the rest that he tricked McGrady into taking more than a decade ago. It doesn’t matter what the other stars are doing now. They’re his friends, once and for all.
For more by Jerry Brewer, visit washingtonpost.com/brewer.For more by Jerry Brewer, visit washingtonpost.com/brewer.
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