In light of Kobe Bryant’s enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, Anthony Davis was asked to share his favorite Kobe Bryant story.
It’s not quite as personal as Kevin Garnett’s story, but it was just so absolutely Kobe Bryant. It’s emblematic of him in every single way possible.
He told a story about how early in his career when he was still with the Pelicans, he played against Bryant who hurt his shoulder in the middle of a game.
Turns out he dislocated his shoulder. And that is an incredibly painful experience. One that would honestly stop a lot of people from doing regular, everyday activities — let alone playing a game of basketball.
But Kobe Bryant? Nah, he doesn’t care. Instead of sitting down or even popping his shoulder back in, he just shot the ball with his left hand instead.
Anthony Davis’ favorite Kobe Bryant story: pic.twitter.com/cBcE02fYnC
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 14, 2021
“I was sitting on the bench and Quincy Pondexter was guarding him. I think the play before, Kobe had dunked and dislocated his right shoulder. There was a timeout, the next play he comes down, catches the ball in the post — no one knew it was dislocated, though, he was just holding his shoulder. I figued something was bothering. And then he came down the next play and hit a turnaround left handed jumper from the post.”
And that’s just Kobe Bryant for you. That’s toughness. That’s skill. That’s perseverance all just wrapped up into one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
What a story. What a moment.
