Latest news with #RolandLazenby
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vernon Maxwell destroyed Kobe Bryant one-on-one after a night out clubbing: "You can't stop me, young boy"
Vernon Maxwell destroyed Kobe Bryant one-on-one after a night out clubbing: "You can't stop me, young boy" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Kobe Bryant's pre-draft workout with the Philadelphia 76ers in the mid-1990s is part of basketball lore — a key moment when, or so the story goes, the young Black Mamba showed he was ready for the NBA. Advertisement But the full story is more complicated than the myth suggests. Not every detail fits the picture of a perfect rise, as basketball author Roland Lazenby reveals in "Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant." Bryant vs. Maxwell To reach the top, you have to beat the best. For a high school player facing pro veterans, that's a tall order — but a young Bryant was determined to prove it. In the summer of 1995, he finally got his chance. Sam Rines, Bryant's former AAU coach, was there to watch. He reportedly showed up several times, including the day his former player went head-to-head with 76ers player Vernon Maxwell. Advertisement At first glance, that matchup might seem one-sided. But some context is key. First, Kobe wasn't just any high schooler. In his senior year at Lower Merion, he had led the Aces to their first state title in more than five decades, averaging a remarkable double-double with 30.8 points and 12.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0 steals and nearly four blocks per game. The team finished 31-3, and many believed the then-teenager was ready to jump straight to the NBA — just like Kevin Garnett had the year before. Secondly, Maxwell, usually a deadly scorer and sharpshooter, hadn't had the best preparation leading up to this workout. Rines explained why. "I knew Vernon was out the night before," he recalled. "I saw him at a nightclub well past two or three in the morning." Advertisement Related: "I think there needs to be clarification about a lot of things that happened" - Scottie Pippen on the need to continue calling out Michael Jordan From setback to comeback The stage was set: the relentless Black Mamba versus Mad Max, who was probably still recovering from a late night out. Despite that — call it a slight handicap — the latter dominated the matchup. "He just got up the next morning and absolutely killed Kobe," recalled Rines, adding Maxwell was trash-talking nonstop while torching the high school sensation. "He (Maxwell) was saying everything, like, 'You can't stop me, young boy.' Anything you can imagine," said the now Executive Director of RockTop Basketball. Advertisement Kobe wasn't the first nor the last to feel the brunt of Vernon's skills. In the 1990s, the fiery 6'4" guard won two rings with the Houston Rockets, known for clutch shots, streaky scoring and leading the league twice in 2-pointers made. Still, the soon-to-be NBA star was rattled. "He (Kobe) didn't take it well, but you had to respect him because he was playing harder than I'd ever seen him play. That's when you knew Kobe was going to be a pro," recalled his former coach. There was a silver lining, though. Bryant's redemption came the very next day — not against the main culprit, Maxwell, but another NBA pro, then-Los Angeles Lakers swingman Eddie Jones. Advertisement According to Rines, Bryant dominated the 1989 Sixth Man of the Year in a five-on-five game, proving his toughness and readiness for the next level. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose — the key is to stand up and bounce back, just like the young Black Mamba did then. Related: "'F—k the education! Go get your f—ng money'" - Vernon Maxwell claims he was one of the first to advise Kobe Bryant to skip college This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"I was used to showing my emotions" - Magic on celebrating KAJ's game-winner in his 1979 debut
"I was used to showing my emotions" - Magic on celebrating KAJ's game-winner in his 1979 debut originally appeared on Basketball Network. Earvin "Magic" Johnson was someone not shy about showing his emotions. He has done a lot of that in his career, on and off the court. However, nothing is more memorable than seeing Magic let it all out after experiencing his first win as a pro. Advertisement One unforgettable moment for Johnson was when he played in his first NBA game. Thanks to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Michigan State product got a taste of what it feels like to win an official contest. Earvin was so elated that he hugged KAJ so tightly that it seemed he was choking the Los Angeles Lakers center. "Everybody was shocked, but I was used to showing my emotions," Johnson said in Roland Lazenby's book, "The Life of Earvin 'Magic' Johnson". In that game-winning sequence, the San Diego Clippers turned the ball over with two seconds remaining in the game. This allowed L.A. to set up for one final shot. Kareem got the ball on an inbound pass from Don Ford and immediately hoisted a skyhook from the free throw line that went in. The wild ending sent the Lakers into a frenzy, including Johnson, who jumped on Abdul-Jabbar out of jubilation. Magic was so happy that it appeared he was choking Kareem out of jubilation. Magic told KAJ to be ready for more hugs Abdul-Jabbar understood why the win was special for Johnson. However, Kareem tried to level with the rookie guard, explaining to Magic that they still had a long way to go that season. Advertisement "Magic was so fired up, and I was like, Jesus, we can't be this emotional for the whole season, or we won't make it to Thanksgiving," Kareem shared. A young Earvin seemed to care about that hardly. He told "Cap" he would probably do that again, especially if Kareem lifted the Lakers to victory. "I'll tell you what. You make that game-winning hook shot like that 81 times, I'm gonna hug you 81 more times," Johnson said. Kareem did not expect the unusual response, but it was clear that he had a teammate who was pretty animated and unafraid to show his emotions. Hence, a usually stoic Abdul-Jabbar broke down and ended up in a rare laugh at Magic's words. Advertisement Related: "There's a lot of things I hate about it" - Tim Duncan admits he can't stand some things about today's NBA Magic finished with KAJ started As expected, the Lakers made it to the 1980 NBA Finals that year. They went up against the Philadelphia 76ers in what would be a classic battle. L.A. took a 3-2 series lead but had to play Game 6 with a handicap. Kareem was unable to play because of an ankle injury, forcing the Purple & Gold to make personnel adjustments. Johnson filled the hole left by KAJ in that game and played all positions in that contest. Magic wound up with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists, leading L.A. to the title in his rookie year. That performance rewarded Earvin with the NBA Finals MVP trophy. Advertisement However, Johnson made it clear that the title-clinching win was dedicated to Abdul-Jabbar. He stressed that in the post-game interview, encouraging KAJ to get well soon. "Big fella, we love you. We did it for you. And we want you to get up and dance a little bit tonight. I know that ankle looks wrong, but get up for us," he said. That season established the bond that Magic and Kareem had in the years that followed. The tandem won five championships for the Lakers overall. This is one of the reasons why the Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson connection is hailed as one of the most legendary duos the NBA has ever had. Related: "That meant so much to us" - Magic Johnson on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar rallying the troops during the '84 NBA Finals This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"The more they're getting there, the angrier Michael got" - How Bulls ignited Michael Jordan's competitiveness ahead of his NBA debut
The Chicago Bulls knew they had an exceptional talent when they selected Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft. As a result, the coaching staff developed unique strategies to prepare Jordan for the physical demands of professional basketball and the mental challenges that come with it. Advertisement This holistic approach ensured that the UNC alum was equipped to excel in the competitive landscape of the NBA, laying the foundation for a career that would eventually redefine the sport. Their commitment to nurturing his skills and enhancing his mental fortitude was pivotal in shaping Jordan into the legendary player he became. One of the things the Bulls coaches did during practices was to make MJ switch sides in the middle of scrimmages once his team was already winning and he was already in his rhythm. Renowned NBA author Roland Lazenby noted that the Bulls coaches thus succeeded in bringing out the best in Mike as a competitor. "It was the coaches, you know, when you coach a team, and you're assessing talent, you do things like this. They're playing to 10, they get to seven, and suddenly he flips him [Jordan] to the other side. Michael is a competitor. He's getting infuriated by this," Lazenby said on "We Study Billionaires" by The Investors podcast in 2017. "They were witnessing this for the first time, and they were just doing an evaluation of this," he continued. "I mean, they've never seen anything like this competitiveness, and the more they're getting there, the angrier Michael got, because he would take the game to one lead and then they would flip him to the other." MJ learned to love it Jordan himself once reflected on the impact of his first Bulls coaches, especially the team's head coach, Kevin Loughery, whom MJ credited for making him an ultimate competitor. Advertisement Jordan greatly valued Loughery's impact on his development as a player, attributing much of his success to the coach's influence during his formative years in the league. While the scrimmages and drills often felt exhausting and, at times, frustrating, MJ realized that these challenges were instrumental in shaping his ability to compete at an elite level. "His Airness" expressed gratitude for how Loughery pushed him to test his physical and mental limits. The latter's coaching style helped him recognize that striving for excellence and winning at all costs were essential principles that would define his career. While Jordan understood what competition means growing up, through his battles with his older brother Larry, the foundation laid by Loughery became a cornerstone of his relentless drive on the court. "You know, my competitive nature went right into the pros; I get to the Bulls, which I was very proud that… And Rob Thorn drafted me. Kevin Loughery was my first coach," Jordan said during his Hall of Fame speech in 2009. "Kevin used to take practices and put me in the starting five, and he'd make it a competitive thing where the losing team would have to run." Advertisement "So, now I'm on the winning team, and halfway in the game, halfway in the situation, he would switch me to the losing team," the six-time champion continued. "So, I take that as a competitive thing of you trying to test me – and nine times out of 10, the second team would come back and win no matter what he did. So, I appreciate Kevin Loughery for giving me that challenge – you know, providing that type of fire within me; He threw another log on that fire for me." Related: "When I needed cash, he said, 'how much?'" - John Salley says Shaquille O'Neal loaned him $70,000 when he was broke and didn't want it back Jordan's competitiveness never fades Coach Loughery's approach pushed Jordan to confront his weaknesses, encouraging him to improve continually. The environment he created taught the legendary guard the importance of hard work and dedication. He also learned that success in sports, much like in life, requires resilience and a commitment to pushing beyond one's perceived limits. Advertisement Through Loughery's guidance, Jordan ultimately developed a fierce competitive edge. He understood early on that to win, one must be willing to compete hard and face challenges head-on. This mentality would become a hallmark of his illustrious NBA career, influencing his approach to games and practices alike. It allowed him to thrive under pressure and emerge victorious in critical moments. The lessons Jordan learned during those challenging practice sessions with Coach Loughery went beyond basketball. They instilled values of perseverance, discipline, and relentlessness that Mike carried with him even off the court and in retirement. MJ's extreme competitiveness is well-known among those who have had the privilege of knowing him. Numerous firsthand accounts emphasize a singular truth: Jordan's entire essence revolves around competition. They concluded that MJ's relentless drive and commitment to winning are not just characteristics — they define who he is. Whether on the basketball court or in any other aspect of life, Jordan embodies a spirit of rivalry that inspires and captivates everyone around him. Related: "A game for sissies" - Wilt Chamberlain admitted he only started playing basketball because he was from Philadelphia
