Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen shared his first memories of Kobe Bryant. The Bulls legend remembered how he told Michael Jordan that Kobe is just like MJ and is going to be special.
It still feels like a horrible dream, but I wanted to share a few words about Kobe as we mourn losing him, his beautiful daughter Gianna, and the others who tragically passed. pic.twitter.com/CcZ8Mdzsij
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
Right away, it was obvious that Kobe was insanely competitive, supremely confident and as driven as anyone I've ever seen. In his early years, we were still in our prime. But you could see what he was thinking: "Y'all better than me now, but that's not going to last." pic.twitter.com/qSWm0v1ZzN
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
Kobe wanted to be like Mike, and who didn't? He modeled his game after MJ's and aspired to be the best. But behind the scenes, Kobe was picking everybody's brains. I loved his approach. He had so much respect for the game, his teammates and his competition. pic.twitter.com/fOfOLx0J12
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
When Kobe was still playing, he'd call or text on occasion and we'd talk about basketball. He was so curious and he asked a lot about how to become a better defender and play certain guys. I'll always cherish those conversations. pic.twitter.com/XWKtYrNnce
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
He cared so much about the game and winning, and had an insatiable drive to constantly learn and improve. Championships and MVPs aside, those are the things that will define his legacy. pic.twitter.com/F4Lewiuf7b
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
For all the glory he achieved as a player, I think he was happiest in these recent years. Retirement for guys like him isn't easy, but he was enjoying as much success off the court as he did on it. He loved his family more than anything in the world. pic.twitter.com/Fe4ZILFVfS
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
I'm devastated and I feel like I lost a part of me. Kobe was amazing, a champion and an icon, and it's impossibly difficult to know he's not here anymore. pic.twitter.com/OmC3fWC1YT
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Vanessa, daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri, and his extended family and friends. There will never be another Black Mamba. RIP pic.twitter.com/6HfXCqBzwH
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 27, 2020
