Kobe Bryant’s ‘everyday test’ to check best teammates revealed by Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas shared an insight into Kobe Bryant's approach to teamwork, through an "everyday test" to gauge their mental fortitude.

Kobe Bryant’s ‘everyday test’ to check best teammates revealed by Gilbert Arenas

Kobe Bryant

The late Kobe Bryant, throughout his career embodied the “Mamba Mentality,” a fierce and unrelenting competitive spirit that propelled him to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. Gilbert Arenas recently shared insights about the late star’s approach to teamwork and leadership in a recent episode of his show.

According to Arenas, Bryant would constantly test his teammates’ confidence and mental toughness during training sessions. This approach was not about bullying or intimidation, but rather about identifying teammates who could stand up to him and, by extension, to other top opponents.

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Everything with a guy like Kobe, same thing with Jordan, everyday he’s testing you.

Gilbert Arenas said on his show

Gilbert Arenas noted that Kobe Bryant sought players who were fearless and confident, like Matt Barnes, who could push back against him during training. Bryant believed that if his teammates couldn’t handle his intensity and competitiveness in practice, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with then-elite opponents like Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady. This mentality, Arenas suggests, was a key factor in Bryant’s success and is a trait that he shares with Michael Jordan, another NBA legend known for his intense competitiveness.

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Bryant’s success with the Lakers was, in part, due to the presence of key teammates like Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol. Supporting players such as Derek Fisher and Rick Fox also made crucial contributions to Bryant’s championship wins. Despite occasionally playing alongside less-than-stellar supporting casts, Bryant’s exceptional abilities as a lead scorer made him easy to build around, allowing him to thrive and lead the Lakers to numerous championships.

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The late Kobe Bryant to feature in an upcoming CNN docu-series

CNN is set to premiere a three-part documentary series, “Kobe: The Making of a Legend,” which explores the early life and formative years of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. The series, which airs on Saturdays beginning January 25, coincides with the five-year anniversary of Bryant’s tragic death in a helicopter crash.

Through interviews with friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers, the documentary provides a unique glimpse into Bryant’s childhood in Italy and his teenage years at Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia.

The series features interviews with notable figures from Bryant’s past, including his childhood friends and teammates from Italy, as well as his coaches and teachers from Lower Merion High School. The documentary also includes insights from star athletes such as Jalen Brunson, Tracy McGrady, and Sheryl Swoopes, who share their perspectives on Bryant’s remarkable career.

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Gilbert Arenas

Additionally, longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti, who worked with Bryant for 20 seasons, provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at Bryant’s time with the Lakers.