Rick Fox on how he earned Kobe Bryant's respect
Rick Fox on how he earned Kobe Bryant's respect
Late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant wasn't just a fierce competitor on the court -- he was also fierce off the court when it came to basketball.
As an intense, alpha-dog type of leader, he could be rough on his teammates. During his career, many thought it meant he was simply abrasive and destructive, but as time went on and the NBA championships continued to pile up, people realized that, in the long run, his style of leadership worked.
Forward Rick Fox played seven seasons and won three championships in a row in the early 2000s with Bryant and the Lakers. During an appearance on the "Giant Ideas" podcast, he said that there was one definite way to earn the respect of the "Black Mamba."
"Kobe, you need to fight," Fox said. "Kobe doesn't respect you unless you challenge him, like all the way up to fighting. Physically fighting. And he and I had our share of fights in practice. Physical fights. But that was his basketball love language. If you didn't back down to him, then he respected you. And a lot of people didn't actually get that because he was Kobe Bryant.
"So if you won't fight me, and I'm the biggest, baddest animal, as they would feel they are in the jungle — then how do I know you got my back? How do I know you're going to cover my back?"
Over the years, Bryant learned how to even out his fiery style of leadership and how to get his teammates to believe in themselves. As a result, many of his former teammates have grown to have fond memories of playing with him.
After all, it's hard not to have fond memories when someone like Bryant is bringing the best out of a player to the point of helping him win the NBA's grand prize.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
21 minutes ago
- Forbes
Pacers To Trade First-Round Pick To New Orleans Pelicans For 2026 Pick
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces a pick for the Indiana Pacers ... More during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by) INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers plan to trade their 2025 first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for a 2026 first-round pick. The selection the Pacers are sending to New Orleans is 23rd overall in next week's draft. The draft rights to Mojave King, a player Indiana chose 47th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, is also heading to the Pelicans. In exchange, Indiana is receiving its own pick back in the 2026 draft, which they previously sent away in a trade to acquire Pascal Siakam. The Pacers 2026 first rounder that they are receiving was dealt from Toronto to New Orleans in February as a part of a deal involving Brandon Ingram. It was originally protected for selections 1-4 in 2026, and had the Pacers kept the pick, it would have become a 2027 first-round pick. That was also protected 1-4, and had Indiana not conveyed a pick in either 2026 or 2027, then New Orleans would have received two second round picks. Now, the Pelicans guarantee themselves a first-round pick in 2025 while the Pacers get back in control of their own draft capital. That's the main appeal of this trade for the Pacers. The Stepien Rule makes it so that teams aren't able to have two consecutive future drafts without a first-round selection. Because Indiana didn't have a first-round pick in 2026, they weren't able to trade their 2027 first rounder. And the protections on the 2027 portion of their outgoing picks meant they would have needed to wait a year to send that pick away in deals. Now, they have no restrictions. That means by draft night, the Pacers will be able to trade first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 all in one deal, for example. They could also opt to package their own picks in 2027, 2029, and 2031. Previously, the 2026 and 2027 portions of those trades would have been unavailable. Kevin Pritchard speaks during a news conference Monday, May 1, 2017, in Indianapolis. Larry Bird ... More resigned from his position as Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations. Pritchard is assuming Bird's position. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Additionally, the Pacers need for a prospect via a first-round pick in the near term is fairly low. They already have a deep roster, and young talent like Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Johnny Furphy are all reserves. Mathurin plays every night, but Walker and Furphy are still waiting for consistent opportunities. Add in 2023 first-round choice Ben Sheppard, and it's clear the Pacers don't have room to add another younger player who wouldn't be in the mix for immediate minutes. The 23rd pick would likely have carried a cap hit of roughly $3.2 million in 2025-26. For the Pacers, who will be thinking about their spending carefully with a luxury tax bill potentially coming their way, moving off of that salary has some value. The team still has to fill out their roster, so the savings may be negligible. But every dollar counts. Between Stepien restrictions, playing time concerns, and salary considerations, it already made sense for the Pacers to move off of their 2025 first-round pick in order to get one in either 2026 or 2027. By getting their own pick back, they gain a ton of flexibility and put their future roster and draft pick outlook in a more favorable position. It's smart business for a team currently in the NBA Finals. They have to think about winning now more than winning in the future via draft selections. Losing King is a small price to pay to make that happen. He played for the Pacers G League affiliate, the then Indiana Mad Ants, in 2023-24 before playing for the New Zealand Breakers this past season. The Pelicans will now figure out his long-term outlook. The Pacers now only own the 54th selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. That could be used on a player that would carry a low cap hit in year one via the second-round pick exception or on a player that would get a two-way contract. They could opt for another draft-and-stash, too, but cheap contributors will be meaningful for the Pacers next year. The true value of this trade won't be known for Indiana until time passes, but creating financial flexibility in the short term while adding short and long term optionality with transactions is forward-thinking business. Now, the Pacers will focus on the NBA Finals until they are eliminated. The 2025 NBA Draft begins next Wednesday.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton reportedly needs MRI for calf strain, status for rest of NBA Finals unclear
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 16: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the first quarter \ao in Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is believed to have suffered a strained calf and needs an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. His status moving forward for the remainder of the NBA Finals is unclear from the report. Advertisement Haliburton sustained the injury in Monday's NBA Finals Game 5. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the game to take a 3-2 series lead and move within one win of securing an NBA championship. Haliburton appeared to sustain the injury without contact in the first quarter while driving to the basket. He briefly left for the Pacers locker room before returning to the sideline in the second quarter with a wrap around his calf. Haliburton removed the wrap and played through the end of the game. He played 34 minutes during the 120-109 Thunder win, but struggled to make an impact on the game. Haliburton failed to make a field goal in an 0-for-6 effort from the floor. He finished the loss with four points, seven rebounds and six assists. Haliburton, an Olympian and a two-time NBA All-Star, is critical to Indiana's hopes of rallying to win the NBA championship. The Pacers must win Games 6 and 7 to win the title. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night (8:30 p.m. ET) in Indianapolis.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
2025 NBA offseason trade tracker, grades: Pacers make trade while in the Finals?
With the conclusion of the NBA Finals comes the start of the trade season, and while a new champion has yet to be crowned, there has already been a shakeup in The Association. Here are the latest trades in the NBA with grades on the biggest ones from yours truly: June 17: Pacers get their 2026 first-round pick back from Pelicans Pelicans receive: Mojave King, Indiana's 2025 first-round pick (23rd overall) Pacers receive: rights to their 2026 first-round pick June 15: Magic acquire Desmond Bane Grizzlies receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four 1st-round picks (2025, 2026, 2028, 2030) and 2029 first-round pick swap Magic receive: Desmond Bane Grizzlies: A It's no surprise that the Grizzlies were looking to make a big move. Their coach, Taylor Jenkins, was fired with nine games remaining in the season and they went on to get swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking the third straight year that they were either eliminated in the opening round or missed the playoffs altogether. This move gives the Grizzlies a lot of flexibility to build around stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies acquired a haul of picks and are known to make smart decisions during the draft. Even though they hovered around No. 2 in the West before the All-Star break ,they haven't been able to break through in the crowded West. Now, they have some wiggle room to figure out how to become a contender. Not to mention, Caldwell-Pope and Anthony will give them some increased depth at the wing. Magic: B Yes, Orlando gave up A LOT of capital. But they need a player like Bane. They ranked last in the league in 3-point shooting last season. Bane has shot 41 percent from beyond the arc over his five-season career. He's also a skilled offensive creator and a strong defender. While the Magic gave up a massive haul to get Bane, it needs to be pointed out that they kept their young core in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. This move gives the Magic a chance to be competitive in the East now. It's a big gamble to give up five first-round picks for a role player, but Bane fills a lot of holes for the Magic, who are clearly looking to make some noise next season. Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @melissarohlin.
