“Stain on His Career” – Fans Won’t Accept Kobe Bryant’s Teammate Justifying Awful Game 7 Display from Legend

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant gave 20 years and 5 titles to the world of basketball, establishing his legacy as one of the greatest.

“Stain on His Career” – Fans Won’t Accept Kobe Bryant’s Teammate Justifying Awful Game 7 Display from Legend

Jim Jackson and Kobe Bryant (Image via FirstSportz)

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The name Kobe Bryant does not just resonate with basketball fans or even sports fans. The Los Angeles Lakers’ great’s name became a beacon of hard work, grit, determination, and passion for whatever one does in their respective lives.

His 20 years of dedication to one team, his passion for the game of basketball, his love for his wife, Vanessa, and his family, all went on to create the legacy that is Kobe Bryant. However, there were a lot of trials and tribulations for him to get to a point where he would become an all-time great.

When he surpassed those obstacles is when he truly became knows as the great Black Mamba. After his death in early 2020, millions of fans across the globe understood what they had lost, and mourned together.

After retiring, Bryant acknowledged some obstacles and revealed what it took to overcome them. However, there have been some questionable situations that are embedded in the minds of basketball fans. Former teammate, Jim Jackson, decided to address one.

Then some things changed where Smush (Parker) started to get outside of his game, feeling him, letting him kind of get away with it, and Kobe was pi***d. So I think Kobe at that time, and I don’t want to talk for him, was proving a point. Then we were like, hold up, he ain’t shooting. He ain’t even looking.

Jim Jackson said on Paul George’s Podcast

Jackson was referring to Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference 1st round matchup between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. His version of the events suggest Kobe Bryant intentionally stopped scoring to send a message to his teammates and head coach Phil Jackson.

Basketball fans cannot accept Jim Jackson’s reasons for Kobe Bryant’s awful game

Basketball fans listening to Jim Jackson reveal what Kobe Bryant‘s intentions were in that Game 7 were left shaking their heads. Those who watched the game remembered the late Lakers great giving up on his team and took just 1 shot in the 2nd half.

They also remembered how his power struggles with the Lakers’ front office left the franchise in shambles. First, Shaquille O’Neal left, then Bryant himself had asked the top brass in 2007 to get him to another team. Therefore, fans believe this was one of the black marks on the Mamba’s legacy.

In trying to prove that he was the biggest name at the Lakers, Bryant intentionally lost the series. That confirms his selfish ways in those years, and fans are not happy with Jim Jackson trying to defend his teammate’s legacy. Check out examples of those comments below.

Kobe Bryant’ legacy has some tainted moments. But it is not massively different from other greats of the game. However, that pressure on the front office went on to further establish his legacy over the next few years.

Kobe Bryant’s pressure on Lakers top brass led to 2 more titles

After trying unsuccessfully to get traded to another team, Kobe Bryant demanded the Los Angeles Lakers’ top brass for reinforcements. A few months later, the franchise traded for Pau Gasol, who elevated the team up a notch.

Kobe Bryant redeemed himself by winning the 2009 and 2010 titles
Kobe Bryant redeemed himself by winning the 2009 and 2010 titles (Image via Open Source/X)

They went from consecutive 1st round exits to reach the 2008 NBA Finals. They lost to the Boston Celtics, and Bryant knew he became overconfident. The following season, he worked harder and established a rapport with his teammates which was not visible in the past two years.

Finally, his goal came to fruition, and the Lakers first defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. Then the following season, Bryant famously pushed the Celtics to 7 games to win his 5th NBA title. Those 2 titles became the defining moments of his legacy.

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