WATCH: “I’m a professional sh*t-talker!” LEAKED audio of Kobe Bryant schooling young James Harden is going viral

An old clip of James Harden failing to talk trash to Kobe Bryant surfaced online.

WATCH: “I’m a professional sh*t-talker!” LEAKED audio of Kobe Bryant schooling young James Harden is going viral

Kobe Bryant silenced James Harden with his trash talk

With his knowledge and incredible skills in basketball, Kobe Bryant has always shown the NBA the true meaning of competitiveness. Bryant never shied away from talking trash to his opponents, regardless of whether his side was winning or losing. Recently, one such moment of Bryant schooling the young James Harden surfaced online.

During a regular season game in 2012, Kobe Bryant met with the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder. The team was on a roll with the best record in the West. The Lakers, on the other hand, were getting dominated by the Thunder. As Bryant was having a poor shooting night, James Harden decided to talk trash after guarding him. Harden warned Bryant about the playoffs, which did not go well. 

Aye man, you talking sh*t now? I'm a professional sh*t-talker. You can't talk sh*t to me... I got five more than you.
Kobe Bryant to James Harden via 2012 OKC vs. Lakers game
YouTube video

According to the recently leaked audio, James challenged Bryant for the playoffs, but the Black Mamba did not budge despite being on the verge of losing. Instead, the five-time champion gave Harden a lesson about trash-talking by referencing his championships. Harden was left speechless as he only smirked without responding.

FS Video

Harden’s confidence was right to some extent as the Thunder defeated the Lakers in the second round of playoffs. However, Bryant had the last laugh, and twelve years later, Harden was still five rings behind. Despite seeing a lot of success at OKC, ‘The Beard’ has not won a single championship.

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Kobe Bryant believed James Harden’s style of playing won’t win championships

Regardless of their on-court exchanges, Bryant and Harden had mutual respect. Just a few weeks ago, Harden admitted that Bryant was the reason he fell in love with basketball. The 34-year-old even named Bryant as his ‘GOAT’. The Lakers legend also admired Harden, but he doubted the guard’s championship future.

In 2019, Harden was on an incredible 30-point game streak with the Houston Rockets. The star received a lot of praise then, but Bryant did not see championship potential in the run. During an interview with ESPN, Bryant was asked about Harden, where he applauded the star but also spoke about the winning possibilities. 

I’m not a fan of it in terms of winning championships. I don’t think that style’s ever gonna win championships. But at the same time, you have to keep your team’s head above water to win games. You have to do what you have to do to win games. And he’s doing that.
Kobe Bryant via ESPN

Bryant believed that Harden was the only member dominating, as the entire team needed to perform to win the title. The veteran was right, to say the least. Despite switching many teams, Harden still does not have a title to his name. This season, Harden also won some important games for the Clippers but could not win the title.

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