The late, great Kobe Bryant was one of a kind, leaving an impact on the game that continues to be preserved and cherished. Synonymous with the Mamba Mentality, his work ethic, competitive drive and fearless nature remain unmatched.
While the Los Angeles Lakers legend may no longer be with us, he remains immortal through his memories both on and off the court. Be it the old school or the modern era, over the years, we've seen several players share their favorite Kobe moments and stories.
The most recent case was that of former Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington , who revisited his first encounter against Bryant, which ironically came at a time when he had just announced his retirement tour. No surprises, tickets for the game were sold out in no time.
"For sure was a road game for us," joked Covington, who was tasked with guarding Bryant.
"When I tell you the way that this game started, I thought Kobe was going for his career against me. Five straight plays. Three of them. He had threes on me, contested. I was like, 'Oh sh-t this is going to be a long night.' But then the good thing is that I went right back at him," stated former All-Defensive First Team member.
Fortunately for Covington, he happened to be on the winning side. However, the biggest takeaway from that game will always be his brief interaction with Bryant, which changed his entire perception of him.
It's no secret that Bryant had a reputation as a taskmaster in the league, something that rubbed many of his teammates the wrong way as well. Earning your stripes from the five-time champion never came easy. Therefore, one can only imagine what it must have been like for an undrafted player like Covington to get an acknowledgment from the Lakers legend.
"So after the game we won, we had a moment. It's a moment where me and Kobe are hugging at the center court, and he tells me, 'Listen, you made it. Like, don't believe anything outside of the fact that you put the work in. You've made it, you're a hell of a player. You're phenomenal. You're a great defender. Keep building no matter what," shared Robert, admitting it was one of the defining moments of his career.
Interestingly, while Robert always acknowledged Kobe's greatness, he was never really a fan of the Lakers guard growing up. Not to mention the stories he had heard from one of his uncles, who played in the league, about how Bryant could be an "a–hole" many times. But when he got to know the Hall of Famer first-hand, all his preconceived notions would be broken.
Covington, who had grown up hearing several stories about Bryant, would have a complete change of heart when he got to see the Lakers' MVP on the court. He then understood how the five-time champ held everyone accountable and wanted everyone to have the same motor. At the same time, Bryant also knew when it was time to pass the torch.
"The way he did, and give the acknowledgment and praise, like it gave me a newfound love for him," said Robert, who, as a mark of respect, began wearing Kobe's thereafter and has never stopped.
No doubt, understanding the Bryants' mindset was complex, but those who did knew how it was all about being the best version of yourself for the Mamba. He always considered himself a student of the game. One could argue that his obsession may not be healthy for everyone, but it did yield results on the court.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
