Jamal Crawford, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, recently opened up about his relationship with Kobe Bryant during an episode of Podcast P with Paul George, Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment. Crawford shared how it took seven years for the Lakers legend to acknowledge him on the court, describing it as a defining moment in his career.
Crawford revealed the breakthrough came during a game at Madison Square Garden, where he scored 30 points in the second half. Bryant, who became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points that night, finally acknowledged Crawford. “He walked in and said, ‘You hot as a pistol, huh?’” Crawford shared, emphasizing how rare and meaningful the interaction was.
During the game, Bryant took it upon himself to guard Crawford and eventually led the Lakers to victory with 42 points. Despite the defeat, Crawford recalled Bryant’s gesture after the final buzzer. “At the end of the game, he gave me a dab and said, ‘Good game, my brother.’ That was the first time we had an exchange,” Crawford said. “I felt like I had arrived in a different way. Kobe knowing my name—it was like a badge of honor.”
Crawford elaborated on what it was like to play against Bryant, describing the challenge of facing one of the game’s fiercest competitors. “You knew [Kobe] was prepared. You knew he could embarrass you,” Crawford admitted. “It was like he was taking everybody’s heart.”
The podcast also featured Crawford’s reflections on his storied career, including his unique feat of scoring 50-point games with four different teams. He recounted his iconic 52-point game at Madison Square Garden, calling it “the hottest night of my life.” Reflecting on that performance, he said, “I made 16 straight shots. If I stayed in, I could’ve scored 65 to 70. I was that hot.”
Crawford also shared memorable moments with his Clippers teammate Blake Griffin, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Griffin’s growth as a player. “People saw the dunks, but in practice, I saw his passing and how he controlled the game,” Crawford said. He praised Griffin’s versatility, especially when injuries forced the Clippers to run their offense through him. “Blake was really like a point forward. He thrived personally because you saw his full skill set.”
Throughout the episode, Crawford highlighted the importance of earning respect from legends like Bryant and peers alike. “For Kobe to finally acknowledge me, it was like I had achieved something greater than stats or wins,” Crawford concluded. His reflections underscored the personal and professional milestones that defined his legacy as one of the NBA’s most electrifying scorers.
