“I’m not going nowhere” – When Kobe Bryant REFUSED the police mid-game to win with a GAME WINNING shot

Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball. His talents can never be matched and so is his stacked resume. He was the hardest worker one will ever see. And, topping the list was his killer instinct, hatred against losing, and Mamba Mentality. During his two-decades-long career, Kobe Bryant has recorded many stories which describe his greats and add up to his legacy. He really was a different breed.

But NBA isn’t the only league that has Black Mamba’s stories to tell. Recently, DeMar DeRozan revealed another iconic Kobe moment and it is from the Drew League. During the 2011 lockout season, Kobe Bryant made his Drew League debut. DeRozan has always been around that pro-am league and on his recent appearance on Iman Shumpert’s podcast, “Iman amongst Men,” he revealed his favorite Drew League moment.

It just happens to be a Kobe Bryant story as he quoted: “Favorite? Probably a Kobe moment. Probably, by far, my favorite because it was so unexpected. Nobody knew he was gonna come out and play. He go out there, have 45, and hit the game-winning shot.”

Further, stressing on the exact story DeRozan added: “It was cr*zy even about that story. We was hooping, me, James going off, and Kobe back and forth. It was like three minutes left in the game, the police came to Kobe and was like, ‘Let’s get you out of here before the game is over.’ He was like, ‘I’m not going nowhere. I’m gonna finish the game.’”

That was Kobe Bryant’s debut game and Black Mamba wanted to take no chance as he hates to lose. Also, he was suiting up against then-young guns James Harden and DeMar DeRozan. So he refused the police present at Colonel Leon H. Washington Park in Los Angeles to escort him out before the game ends. After, that polite refusal Kobe Bryant drilled the iconic game-winner which is still remembered by the folks around Drew League. And, after hitting the jumper on James Harden’s head he went to the middle of the court where excited fans rushed at him to celebrate the dub.

Related: “Still haunts me” – Shaquille O’Neal gets candid about BIGGEST REGRET about Kobe Bryant beef

Kobe Bryant had a simple request before his Drew League debut

Kobe Bryant wanted to play on the same floor as LeBron James and Kevin Durant. So during the 2011 lockout season, his agent reached out to Dino Smiley, then-commissioner of the Drew League. It was the end of the season and Kobe just wanted to ball. So Smiley decided to have an ASG of the top players in the league. And, Mamba got to face DeMar DeRozan and James Harden in his match.

But before the game, he had a simple request for the opponents which he sent via Dino Smiley. And, Smiley reflecting on that moment once quoted: “While I’m in there(opposing team locker room) I say, ‘Hey, look, Kobe’s coming, but he doesn’t want to play no little touchy, touchy All-Star type game. He want somebody to go at it, who’s gonna go at him?’ James Harden raised his hand and said, ‘I got his a**.’ And that’s when all the stuff started.”

James Harden wasn’t disappointing and even dropped a 50-point bomb while defending Kobe Bean Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers star though got the last laugh by drilling the game-winning jumper right in his face and shutting down the gym. Mamba also recorded 45 points in his debut.

In Case You Missed It:

• LeBron James to own NBA team? Tracy McGrady claims its a DONE DEAL
• LeBron James’ son Bryce reacts to brother Bronny’s SHOCKING heart attack

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW