Although he has been retired for almost two years, Kobe Bryant still managed to rake up another piece of hardware. This time coming in the form of an Academy Award. Kobe joined Dan Patrick to reflect on his career and how it felt to win an Oscar. When asked if he could only put up ONE trophy up on display, Kobe didn't hesitate to answer.
The Academy Award. No doubt about it.
Kobe helped the Lakers clinch five titles and recorded plenty of personal accolades during his NBA career. Despite all of his basketball accomplishments, Kobe says he never thought he would win an award quite like this one.
What the hell am I doing there? I just wanted to write something to the game and once I went through the process of making an animation film and I called Glen and then I called John. I was like oh my god Glen's going to do it. Oh my god John's going to do it. We started putting the process together, the pieces together, the animations amazing, then John's music, you know like whoa this is pretty cool. Nominations come out and you're like whoa. And then we win? It's like wait a minute.
Throughout his 20-year career, Kobe faced some of the best players the NBA has seen. His game has always been compared to the likes of Michael Jordan. While there is no doubt Kobe studied MJ's moves, he says he took moves from several other players.
Well you know I studied everyone. So I was like a complete basketball geek. Parts of my game I really modeled after Michael but there were other parts I took from Jerry West, Hakeem Olajuwon, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, George Gervin, Andrew Toney, Sam Jones, I mean the list goes on and on.
Kobe added that its hard to compare players from different eras and since players can't be sent back and forward from different eras, theres no point in comparing them. However, when asked on who he would want to play in their prime, Kobe gave a specific response.
Michael 91'. No doubt about it.
Kobe will be honored this week for Mamba Day as the city of Los Angeles celebrates the second-year anniversary of his last game played on April 13th, 2015.
Listen to the full interview below.
Photo: Getty Images