Kobe set example for generation of ballers
“We played against him that year, we were not in playoff contention or anything, we were the bottom-placed team but he was still competitive,” Jawai recalled yesterday.
“We were the last team on the ladder and defensively, he was a machine, and he was the same on offence.
“He had a competitive nature that was just unbelievable, and I was able to witness that.
“He had such a good impact on the world and it was so sad waking up to the news.”
Bryant would go on to win NBA Finals MVP that season, defeating one of his biggest rivals, the Boston Celtics in the decider.
Cairns coach Mike Kelly was born in California and grew up a big-time Lakers fan.
While he lived in Australia for much of Bryant’s career, the 52-year-old says his Snakes squad will play with Bryant’s “Mamba mentality” tomorrow against Illawarra.
“I keep hearing about how he prepared and played to win all the time,” Kelly said.
“As a group, we take something from that and spoke about that a little bit.
“I think this generation of young players grew up with Kobe and it impacts them in a profound way, more than it would impact me.
“We have reflected on it as a group and just said let’s compete as Kobe would compete, and have that attention to detail, and I think we saw some of that at training today.”
The NBL will honour the late Bryant and his daughter Gianna before each game in Round 18.
Beginning with last night’s clash between Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats at Melbourne Arena, there will be 24 seconds of applause before tip-off at each game.
The 24 seconds of applause will be accompanied by a video celebrating the life of Kobe and Gianna Bryant on the big screen at each venue.
The NBL will stage its inaugural indigenous Round this week.
The round will recognise and acknowledge indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand.