“They don’t put that part on ESPN…” Kobe Bryant’s never-heard-before conversations with football greats Bill Belichick and Nick Saban revealed

Bill Belichick and Nick Saban discussed how their teams benefited from Kobe Bryant's mindset.

“They don’t put that part on ESPN…” Kobe Bryant’s never-heard-before conversations with football greats Bill Belichick and Nick Saban revealed

Kobe Bryant (Credits: The Denver Post)

Kobe Bryant, the late great of the Los Angeles Lakers, is one of the most respected athletes in the world. Basketball players often separate themselves from other players not so much by their athleticism as by their mentality. One of the league’s most amazing players, Bryant was highly regarded. His regimented schedule and rigorous work ethic were well known. The younger generation continues to be inspired by his work ethic and mindset.

Two legendary football coaches, Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, talked about the “Black Mamba” during an interview when they talked about work ethic in sports. In 2019, Nick Saban had a conversation with Bill Belichick. During the interview, Saban discussed how the Lakers legend discussed his 60-point performance in his final game against the Utah Jazz.

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Nick Saban said:

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I worked eight hours a day for 365 days a year so that I could get through the season. They don't put that part on ESPN".

Coach Nick Saban described how, on April 13, 2016, Bryant revealed his 60-point master class against the Utah Jazz. Bryant shared insight into the perseverance and hard work that went into the background while visiting Saban and the University of Alabama. Even in the final stages of his career, he prepared carefully, as proven by his farewell 60-point record game.

Bill Belichick said when Kobe visited his team:

I knew I could never be perfect but I was always cutting the gap between where I was and perfect. And I knew I could never get there but it didn't matter. I always wanted to be the best player.

Eventually, Belichick’s squad emerged as the winner. Still, Kobe’s words motivated every person in the changing room.

At the US Open, Novak Djokovic honored Kobe Bryant with his 24th Grand Slam victory

After winning his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open on 10th Sept 2023, Novak Djokovic honored the late basketball great Kobe Bryant by wearing a “Mamba Forever” shirt during the trophy presentation.

Djokovic disclosed that he had begun organizing the personalized Kobe Bryant t-shirt one week before the scheduled championship match. Before tragically passing away, Bryant developed a close relationship with Djokovic while wearing the No. 24 jersey throughout his NBA career.

Kobe Bryant and Novak Djokovic
Kobe Bryant and Novak Djokovic (Credits: Fadeaway World and Los Angeles Time)

Novak Djokovic said, 

Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner mentality. When I was struggling with injury, he was one of the people I relied on the most".

Bryant, who passed away in a plane crash three years ago, according to Djokovic, had supported him during some of the most difficult periods of his career. This most notably includes a potentially fatal elbow injury in 2017.

To win his fourth US Open championship and exact revenge for losing to the Russian two years prior was obviously a notable achievement. Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3, and used the opportunity to pay Kobe.

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