When Kobe Bryant got his revenge after Jeff Van Gundy criticized his All-Defensive Team selection: “I am going to shut your best player down”

Though Jeff Van Gundy's bold approach might have led the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1999, the same approach didn't sit well when he sat in the broadcasting chair. With his unhinged manner to reveal his true thoughts on matters, JVG annoyed Kobe Bryant when he called Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals. As Gundy openly challenged KB24's inclusion in the All-defensive First Team, his critique deeply offended the 18-time All-Star.

Kobe's message to Jeff Van Gundy

Kobe's defensive stats in the 2007-08 season were impressive. He averaged 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. His perimeter defender was so impactful that it didn't just help the Lakers register the fifth-best defensive rating, but he was also the fifth-most voted player for the DPOY award. However, despite these, JVG argued that Shane Battier, who averaged 1 steal and 1.1 blocks per game, deserved the All-Defensive Team honor more.

The criticism stung Bryant, who had also won his lone MVP honor that season. In response, the Black Mamba issued a stern warning to Van Gundy before Game 2.

"Bryant is coming in, and he walks around the hall, and he walked in, and he said, 'I can't wait till you come back to coaching because I am going to effing shut your best player down, I promise you that, in the first game,'" Van Gundy said, "That's the thing I loved about Bryant. Everything was personal; everything was a challenge."

Interestingly, despite the gravity of Bryant's message, Gundy refused to back down.

"I said, 'We're going right at you the first five plays because I know you're not guarding all five plays, come on,'" Gundy added.

Bryant took pride in his defense

It wasn't just the 6'6" shooting guard sending out a warning off the court; he showed how to play defense on the court too. Kobe wrapped up Game 2 of the Finals with the most steals of anyone on the court.

The two-time Finals MVP took great pride in his defensive skills. In his 20-year career, Bryant made the All-Defensive Team 12 times, nine of those being First Team. Kobe is 16th on the all-time steals list with 1,944 steals, which clearly means no one could question his defensive capabilities.

Related: “But I want to score 30, and you score zero” - Kobe Bryant on becoming an elite two-way player