September 1, 2025

Kobe Bryant was not just an NBA legend; he was a warrior on the court with a fierce style that set him apart. His secret to building a strong Lakers team? A fiery ritual welcomed every new player with a face-to-face, one-on-one basketball battle.

Tyronn Lue, a two-time NBA champion and Kobe’s former teammate, revealed this spicy Lakers tradition on a podcast. Lue, now the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, shared memories from their Lakers days. “Every time we got a new player, like Glen Rice, Glen Rice is a bad dude, Kobe wanted to play one-on-one,” Lue said.

This was Kobe’s way of saying, “This is my team.” For players like J.R. Ryder, the same rule applied. The challenge wasn’t just a game, it was a statement. It showed new teammates what it meant to be a Laker — fierce, hungry, and ready for battle.

Kobe’s commitment to greatness went far beyond rituals. Lue talked about how Kobe attacked every practice with relentless energy. “Compete for every possession, every sprint, every dribble, he wanted to be the best, and that’s no bulls***, like every single day, he was the same person.” That's the Mamba Mentality in action!

Even Tyronn Lue, a master at one-on-one games, could never beat Kobe. “Every day, my cousin was like, ‘Man, why you can’t beat him?’ He’d beat me every damn time. I was a great player, like man, I don’t know why I can’t beat this dude.” It took years before Kobe truly became the basketball giant we remember.

Kobe’s incredible career was filled with jaw-dropping moments — scoring 81 points in one game in 2006, winning five NBA championships, and leaving the court with a bang by scoring 60 points in his final game in 2016. Even battling a tough Achilles injury in the 2013 playoffs didn’t stop him from shining, showing his true warrior spirit.

Kobe Bryant’s legacy teaches us that legends are made not only by talent but by grit and heart. His one-on-one ritual was more than a game; it was the fiery welcome into the Lakers’ family and a glimpse into the Mamba Mentality that lives on forever.

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Tags: Kobe bryant, Los angeles lakers, Tyronn lue, Nba, Basketball ritual, One-on-one games,