Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox says he literally had to fight Kobe Bryant in practice before the late superstar accepted him as a trusted teammate.
Speaking on the “The Giant Ideas Podcast,” Fox explained that Bryant measured commitment through confrontation. “Kobe doesn’t respect you unless you challenge him, all the way up to fighting—physically fighting,” Fox said. “He and I had our share of fights in practice, but that was his basketball love language.”
According to Fox, the altercations took place during the early 2000s, when both players were key pieces of the Lakers’ championship teams. The veteran wing described the clashes as Bryant’s way of determining which teammates would “stand in the foxhole” with him when pressure mounted.
“If you won’t fight me and I’m the biggest, baddest animal in the jungle, how do I know you’ve got my back?” Fox recalled Bryant telling him.
Fox’s story adds another layer to Bryant’s well-documented intensity, which previously led to confrontations with other teammates, including center Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant often gravitated toward players who responded forcefully to his challenges, a trait Fox believes stemmed from the same competitive mindset associated with Michael Jordan.
Teammate scuffles are not uncommon in the NBA, but Fox noted that many younger players tended to “wilt” when Bryant tested them. By refusing to back down, Fox said he ultimately earned Bryant’s respect and solidified their on-court partnership during three straight championship runs from 2000 to 2002.
Source: Lakers Nation
