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Byron Scott reveals the biggest misconception people had about Kobe Bryant
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- Byron Scott reveals the biggest misconception people had about Kobe Bryant
If Kobe Bryant is known for anything beyond the numbers and championships he achieved during his NBA career, it's his notorious Mamba Mentality. A state of mind that defined Bryant in the most intense moments in games, but also far beyond the hardwood.
Bryant was known as a relentless worker who practically lived in the gym. He expected his teammates to give at least a part of the effort he put in himself, which often led to conflicts with players who either didn't want to or simply couldn't keep up with the Mamba's pace.
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That was the reason Bryant developed a reputation as a cold and distant figure and to some, even a basketball diva, especially in the first half of his career. Over time, he softened and after he finished playing, that cold façade gradually disappeared.
Scott on the misconception about Bryant
Bryant's former teammate and head coach, Byron Scott , also believes there has long been a false perception surrounding Bryant.
"The biggest thing people don't understand is how much he cared. You know what I'm saying? Everybody thinks he was selfish. No, Kobe wanted to win. He cared about winning, you know," Scott explained on his podcast.
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Scott had a unique window into Bryant's mindset, having been both his teammate and mentor during Scott's final NBA season, which happened to be Bryant's rookie year and later his head coach at the end of Kobe's career. Those roles ensured that Scott became part of Bryant's legacy, and vice versa.
The two shared mutual respect, even though there were moments of tension when their visions of the game and the system didn't always align. Still, Scott always knew that Bryant's mindset revolved around one thing only — winning and doing whatever it took to get there.
"So, if that means he'll do whatever he has to do to win, if you ain't on board with it, so be it. That's what I'm going to do. If I got to take 50 shots because your ass don't want to shoot or you scared, so be it. I'll be the GOAT. I'll be the hero," he explained the way Bryant thought.
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Kobe's passion and determination
There are too many moments when Bryant decided to take matters into his own hands to list them all. But one that remains forever etched in memory is his final NBA game, when he dropped 60 points against the Utah Jazz .
Kobe chose to go out in style, leaving everything he had on the floor, and Scott believes that even today, and over the past decade, there aren't many players who can say what Bryant told his teammates in the locker room after that final game.
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"He said, 'I've given this game everything I had so I can leave on these terms knowing that I did. I don't think there's too many players that can say, 'Man, I played every single night as hard as I could. I played games when I shouldn't have played, you know, and I gave it everything I got,'" Scott recalled.
Scott didn't have much success coaching the Lakers . In his first season, they had a 21-61 record in the midst of rebuilding. The year after, the team had its worst record in franchise history, finishing 17-65, after which Scott's contract was not renewed.
However, that season ultimately served more as Bryant's farewell to the league and the game of basketball, as he announced retirement before it started. And he was sent off in a way that someone with that kind of mentality truly deserved.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
