$28,000,000 worth Kendrick Perkins narrates a tale of how the late Kobe Bryant changed his career ‘forever’ with impact words

Kendrick Perkins reminisces about a moment he shared with Kobe Bryant and how it changed his career.

$28,000,000 worth Kendrick Perkins narrates a tale of how the late Kobe Bryant changed his career ‘forever’ with impact words

L- Kobe Bryant and R- Kendrick Perkins (Images via Getty)

Kendrick Perkins is among the few players who were drafted straight out of high school. He was selected 27th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he spent the golden years of his career and won a championship with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. He finally hung up his sneakers in 2019 and now works as an analyst on ESPN.

Perkins shared a moment he had with Kobe Bryant recently on First Take where he recalled how as a young player, he was praised by Kobe as one of the best defensive centers in the league and how it helped him develop his game further.

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“Y’all really don’t understand at 25 years old what that meant to me. For him to have the basketball mind and recognize me to that capability… man, that was one of the best moments of my life,”

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Perkins, who was only 25 years old then, expressed the immense significance of this encounter—being recognized by someone as knowledgeable and respected as Bryant meant the world to him. He described it as one of the most memorable moments of his life.

Also read: ESPN Analysts persuade Rui Hachimura to recruit Shohei Ohtani to Dodgers after his new deal with Lakers

Kobe Bryant takes flight on the cover of NBA 2K24

Kobe Bryant as the 2K24 cover (via Gamespot)
Kobe as the cover of 2K24 (Via Instagram)

Kobe Bryant was named the cover star of 2K24. The game’s upcoming installment in the NBA 2K franchise will offer two editions featuring Bryant’s image. In the “Kobe Bryant” edition of NBA 2K24, he will be showcased wearing the No. 8 jersey from his early career. On the other hand, the “Black Mamba” edition will portray him during the later years of his illustrious journey.

Bryant won five NBA championships, earned Eighteen All-Star selections, secured a spot on the All-NBA Team Fifteen times, was honored as a Twelve-time member of the All-Defensive Team, claimed the title of the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and was named a two-time NBA Finals MVP throughout his illustrious career.

He has previously appeared on the covers of NBA 2K10, 2K17, and the Mamba Forever edition of NBA 2K21, which celebrated the life of Kobe Bryant following his tragic passing in January 2020.

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