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J.R. Smith explains why he feared Kobe Bryant more than Tim Duncan: “Kobe, he was an assassin”
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- J.R. Smith explains why he feared Kobe Bryant more than Tim Duncan: “Kobe, he was an assassin”
The Kobe Bryant-Tim Duncan all-time rankings debate has gained more traction recently, with everyone having an opinion on the issue. J.R. Smith stopped by FanDuel TV's "Run it Back" and touched on several topics, including the ever-controversial pecking order of the two aforementioned legends.
For Smith, the rationale is simple: He would rather take his chances with the Big Fundamental before signing up for a night with the Black Mamba.
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"For me, putting it in different categories, I would take Kob because I would prefer not play against Kob compared to playing against Tim. I'd rather play against Tim than play against Kob," the 16-year NBA veteran said .
Smith started his career in New Orleans but was traded to the Mile High City after two seasons. Not too long after, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers locked horns in the playoffs for two consecutive years, a stretch that gave J.R. repeated exposure to Kobe's greatness.
When J.R. saw Kobe's greatness up close
J.R. almost took forever articulating his answer, giving more time for Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams to have more one go at it. Parsons referred to "blind resumès" in putting Duncan over Bryant, while Williams did not want any of that and went for the eye test.
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As soon as he collected his thoughts in the Kobe-Timmy discussion, J.R. went for the intangible over the counting stats. Smith puts a premium on the fear factor when facing Bryant. There was no way of measuring that, but as someone who faced the late Los Angeles Lakers icon 34 times over his career, J.R. knew Kobe was different.
Again, it's not a knock on Duncan, but Smith knew the feeling all too well, guarding Bryant from time to time.
"Kobe, he was an assassin. He'd pick you apart and he will look at you dead through your soul like, 'Nah, not today,' " Smith added. "Tim? Tim was quietly cooking… I'd rather take boring than somebody trying to kill you."
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In 2008, Kobe's Lakers swept J.R.'s Nuggets despite having Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony . The average margin of victory in the first three games of the series was nearly 16 points, before the Purple and Gold put them out of their misery in a close Game 4.
As always, Bryant was scorching hot. He torched the Nuggets to the tune of 33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks, shooting 50 percent from the floor. Smith averaged 18 in the series, but nobody in a Denver uniform could touch Kobe.
The 2009 Western Conference finals series was more of a dogfight, but Bryant ultimately willed the Lakers to a 4-2 slate to punch a ticket to their second straight finals appearance. He averaged 34/6/6 while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 93 percent from the line. He dropped 41 in Game 3, literally emptying the tank in an inspiring performance. Bryant was so exhausted that he needed a bag of IV fluids right after the game!
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The "Henny God" was there to witness everything. In fact, in that game, "Black Mamba" hit a tough 3-pointer over him to take the lead with over a minute left. J.R. did his best, but Kobe put that one right between his eyes.
J.R. is always Team Kobe
As Smith hinted, it's a much different perspective going up against Bryant in a high-stakes setting than looking up stats and accolades on paper. Sure, Duncan had more finals and regular-season MVPs, but those distinctions mattered less when Bryant was in front of you.
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Like Lou Will, J.R. has always been a staunch defender of Kobe in these discussions. Smith once ranted on social media about Bryant's legacy back in 2015, insisting that he deserved more MVPs than the lone one he got in 2008.
Apparently, his take on Kobe has not changed. For J.R., guarding Bryant in real games carried more weight than any statistical argument in favor of Duncan.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
