“You’ll NEVER beat me” – Kobe Bryant DESTROYED a franchise due to petty beef with coach
After being benched by George Karl during the 1998 All-Star Game, Kobe Bryant seemed to channel that moment as motivation whenever he faced the Denver Nuggets.
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Kobe Bryant (Credits: ESPN)
Kobe Bryant’s legacy in the sporting world is undeniably legendary. His unparalleled work ethic and unwavering determination allowed him to compete at the highest level for an impressive 20-year span in the NBA. With an extraordinary resume, Bryant solidified his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Throughout his illustrious career, numerous players and franchises experienced firsthand the relentless brilliance of Bryant.
The Denver Nuggets, under the coaching of George Karl, found themselves on the receiving end of Bryant’s competitive fire. One particular incident that stands out is the 1998 All-Star Game, where Bryant, at the age of 19, showcased his immense talent. Despite his young age, Bryant had a remarkable performance, scoring 18 points in just 22 minutes, and was in contention for the All-Star Game MVP award, which his idol Michael Jordan eventually claimed with 23 points. However, Kobe’s chance to potentially secure the award was thwarted when Karl, serving as the coach, made the decision to bench him for the entire fourth quarter.
In the 1998 All-Star Game, George Karl, then the head coach of the Seattle Supersonics, controversially benched Kobe Bryant in the fourth quarter, sparking a strained relationship between them. Many believe Karl’s decision was motivated by the idea of Jordan winning the MVP award, despite fans’ desire to see Bryant perform. This incident led to Bryant clowning Karl, impacting their dynamic for years to come. Unfortunately, the Denver Nuggets, who later acquired Karl as their head coach, indirectly experienced the repercussions of their ongoing feud.
Bryant boasted an impressive playoff record of 12-5 against the Nuggets throughout his career. This success can be attributed to his exceptional resilience, which was fueled by the 1998 All-Star Game incident. Karl’s decision to bench Bryant during that game served as a motivational catalyst for Bryant, driving him to excel whenever facing the Nuggets as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe Bryant revealed the story in one of his interviews, saying, “George Karl…he benches me the whole fourth. Which, later in the years became my motivation when we played against Denver to never let them win a Playoff series because he didn’t play me the whole fourth quarter of that game. And it was like, ‘Okay! It’s on sight!’. So when we played the Denver Nuggets in the Playoffs it was like, ‘Hold on y’all! You’re never! You will never beat me in a Playoff series!’”
Karl’s actions inadvertently fueled Bryant’s competitive fire, leading him to deliver outstanding performances against the Denver Nuggets in playoff matchups. In these encounters, Bryant averaged an impressive 31.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks. His relentless drive to compete and win distinguished him as a true force to be reckoned with.
George Karl reveals the real reason behind benching Kobe Bryant during 1998 ASG
Following Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing in a helicopter crash, George Karl expressed his heartfelt condolences and paid his respects to the late basketball icon. In a poignant tribute, Karl credited Bryant for his significant impact on the game of basketball and acknowledged his role in elevating the performances of other players.
Reflecting on the 1998 All-Star Game controversy, Karl addressed the perception that he benched Bryant to benefit Michael Jordan’s MVP chances, stating, “Kobe thought I kept him on the bench because I wanted Michael to win the MVP.”
Denying that belief, George Karl added, “And that was the game where I think Kobe, he was telling guys to get out of the way, he wanted to go 1-on-1 and isolate. And a couple players came to me and said, ‘I don’t want to play.’ David Robinson was older at that time, Karl Malone was older at that time.”
It is indeed unfortunate that George Karl and Kobe Bryant were not able to address and clarify their misunderstandings while Bryant was still alive. Indeed, Karl’s statement acknowledging Bryant’s impact and expressing respect reflects a sense of mutual admiration.
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Ritik Malik
(1743 Articles Published)