Kobe Bryant had a huge influence on many stars of today’s NBA, who grew up watching the Lakers legend dominate the league. Draymond Green is no exception. The Golden State Warriors star recently shared his favorite moment with the Lakers legend. And it happened to be one where he had to cover the five-time champion on a game-winning shot.
To The Draymond Green ShowGreen said he was forced to cover Kobe twice during a game. Both times, Kobe made shots that could have won the game for the Lakers.
In Green’s words:
“My favorite moment with Kobe was when I stopped Kob and he hit me on the leg. I was like, ‘Yeah!’ He said, ‘That’s nothing to do with you, young man! I just missed.'”
Green then admitted that he didn’t play much at all in the game. As soon as he stepped on the court, he was asked to guard Kobe.
And when the Lakers legend missed a fadeaway jump near the Dubs bench, Green admitted that he ‘hyped’But Kobe’s enthusiasm soon faded.
“Game-winning shot, Mark Jackson put me in with a few seconds left in the game…I think I played 27 seconds in that game. I think I had to make a stop to send the game to overtime and then make a stop to win the game in overtime.” Said Green.
“I was so excited when Kobe hit a turn around fade with his left shoulder in front of our bench, a patented fadeaway, and missed! … ‘It’s nothing to do with you, young man, I just missed.'” he added.
It may have been a little unfair that Kobe told Draymond that his defense meant absolutely nothing. But then again, that was The Black Mamba for you. He didn’t say that to downplay Green’s devotion. He genuinely believed it.
This display of Kobe’s cold-blooded assassin mentality is probably why this moment became Green’s favorite Kobe story of all time. And considering what an incredible incident it was, it’s hard to blame him.
That doesn’t mean, however, that this version was Bryant Green’s favorite. No, that honor goes to a completely different number.
Draymond Green chooses No. 8 instead of No. 24
Kobe Bryant wore two numbers during his legendary career in the NBA. He wore number 8 in the early years of his career before switching to number 24.
Most people consider both numbers to be equally iconic. However, everyone has their favorites. And as Green explained, for him it is number 8.
“I have to choose 8. Because 8 is just such a big part of my childhood. I grew up with 8, with the afro. And as you get older, you mature. And I think 8 just didn’t care about anything. 8 didn’t care what you thought, and neither did 24, for that matter. But 8, man!”
Green then revealed that Shaquille O’Neal is his favorite player of all time, so seeing him play with this version of Kobe is also one of the reasons why he prefers the No. 8 era of the Lakers legend.
