“Better Than Anyone We Have”: 18 Year Old Kobe Bryant’s Manhandling of Retired 5x NBA Champion Convinced Jerry West of His Skill

Advertisement Advertisement Despite having no experience playing at a professional level, Kobe Bryant was able to get the best of Michael Cooper. A five time NBA champion, Cooper was known as the defensive stopper for the Lakers during his time with the team. And yet, Bryant was able to school him so badly that West had to cut the workout short. Justifiably, Jerry West did not feel the need for any more proof to believe that Kobe Bryant was the real deal and would go on to be a star in the NBA before long. To the surprise of very few, he was right on the money. How the Clippers fumbled on drafting Kobe Bryant Advertisement Advertisement