Kobe Bryant is a legendary. He’s one of the top 20 or so players in NBA history and perhaps the second best shooting guard ever. He’s won five titles and is currently fifth on the all-time scoring list. Also, don’t sleep on the fact that he’s only one of two guards on the list and the other is Michael Jeffery Jordan.
A guy who has done all of this and more would have no reason to exaggerate his skills. Yet, we seem to have a discrepancy as to if he really beat former NBA all-star Tracy McGrady in some solo matchups. Bryant told ESPN he lit McGrady up like a Christmas tree.
“I played T-Mac. I cooked him. Roasted him. Wasn’t even close. Ask him, he’ll tell you. When I was about 20, we were in Germany doing some promotional stuff for that other sneaker company and we played basketball every day. We were in the gym all the time. We played three games of one-on-one to 11. I won all three games. One game I won 11-2. After the third game he said he had back spasms and couldn’t play anymore.
McGrady isn’t corroborating the story at all. McGrady was asked on Twitter and quickly denied the story.
I’m not sure who to believe especially because I could totally see T-Mac complaining of “back spasms” as he realized he couldn’t hang with the Mamba.
I could also see Kobe fabricating the story a bit. Bryant does believe he would’ve beaten MJ in his prime and would beat LeBron now. He did admit he would maybe struggle a bit with Kevin Durant.
Kobe on matching up with LeBron
“LeBron is a terrific all-around, five-on-five basketball player who’s an all-time great. But I’d get him… LeBron is a terrific all-around, five-on-five basketball player who’s an all-time great. But I’d get him.”
Kobe on Jordan.
"I’m not sure, but he would win some and I would win some in a seven-game series. It would probably come down to the last few shots."
Kobe on KD.
“Kevin Durant is the guy that would give me the most trouble. With his length and ability to use the dribble, he’d be tough.”
I'm going to call this a wash. But if the Te'o story isn't a lesson enough always remember anything you say can be proven or disproven within moments on the internet.
