Kobe Bryant's on-court ability may not be what it once was, but his trademark fire and competitive nature certainly hasn't diminished. During a recent team scrimmage, the Los Angeles Lakers legend took it upon himself to put a trash talking team mate in his place.
According to the NBA, an unnamed player on the opposing team fired some banter at the 17-time all-star; and Kobe replied by showing off his repertoire of moves and draining four three-pointers - one of which resulted in a four-point play.
"That was the wrong thing to do," said Metta World Peace of his anonymous team mate's decision to challenge Kobe. Peace, a key member of the Lakers' 2010 championship team, recently rejoined the purple and gold after playing stints in China and Italy.
"We, the white team, won the first game ... and then somebody said something to Kobe," said Lakers rookie Larry Nance Jr. "Four 3's later, you can see the score now - (purple) team won. ... I think we've learned from that mistake: Don't poke the bear."
Bryant has been nursing a lower-leg contusion that he suffered during a preseason meeting againt the Sacramento Kings but he looks to have healed up just in time for the Lakers season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I told him if he couldn't go today or tomorrow, I'd start worrying," said coach Byron Scott. "He walked out today and said he felt good. Gave me a thumbs up, went through the scrimmage and everything. You could see a little rust, but he was moving pretty fluidly again. It was good to see."
'The Black Mamba' is entering his 20th season with the Lakers, the longest any player has ever served with the team that drafted them.
