Kobe Bryant is on the NBA’s elite list of generational players. He remained with the Los Angeles Lakers his entire career and won five championship rings. However, it wasn’t easy for the two-time Finals MVP to bond with his teammates when he first arrived in Los Angeles. And four-time NBA champion John Salley helped Kobe connect with his teammates during his one-season stint with the Lakers in 1999-2000.
Kurt Rambis was replaced by Phil Jackson as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999. The Lakers had a hard time getting closer to the championship and hadn’t won since 1990. Meanwhile, Kobe came to the Lakers in 1996. He immediately caused a stir in the league, but the Lakers were still struggling.
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The Lakers lacked on-court chemistry between Kobe and his younger teammates. The Black Mamba was 20 when Salley came to the Lakers in his final NBA season. He observed that Bryant’s teammates couldn’t bond with the young star.
John Salley opens up about his friendship with Kobe Bryant
Recently, John Salley shared his experience as Kobe Bryant’s teammate during an episode of Byron Scott’s podcast.Off the dribble’. The 58-year-old revealed he approached coach Phil Jackson and had a chat about Kobe and the team. Saley said, “I live five doors down from Shaq and we have a good relationship. And I really think I can move on to Kobe.
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Additionally, the former Lakers star said he could see Bryant’s uniqueness because he had experienced it before as a teammate with Michael Jordan. However, Kobe’s teammates felt he was trying to be selfish.
Salley contacted Kobe and they started dating. Kobe and Salley went to studios, TGI Friday’s, and watched game tapes. John helped Bryant’s teammates understand him and build chemistry that led to a championship win in 2000.
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After that, the Lakers team won three consecutive championships between 2000 and 2002. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were undoubtedly the basis of this success. Their understanding on the pitch helped the pair overcome tough opponents and go on to win. Unfortunately, the two hit a stalemate in 2002, and the Lakers then had to trade Shaq to the Miami Heat in the end.
