“He was basically killing me”- When a young Russell Westbrook saw firsthand Kobe Bryant’s mamba mentality

For most players who had the opportunity to compete alongside or against Kobe Bryant , there was often a valuable lesson to be learned regarding his unwavering 'Mamba Mentality.' However, for Russell Westbrook , despite playing against KB24 in 33 games (playoffs included) across eight seasons, this educational experience came in pretty early, even before he entered the NBA.

Westbrook on learning from Kobe Bryant

During his appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' Brodie recalled how he had the opportunity to compete against Kobe during his sophomore year at UCLA. Despite being overwhelmed by his idol and brutally dominated in the pickup game, Westbrook emphasized how the 18-time All-Star's fundamental approach to the game inspired him.

"I had the opportunity to compete, and me and Kobe, not going back and forth because he was basically killing me, but it's OK," Westbrook said . "The No. 1 lesson I got in that is that watching him, and to this day I think we all know it as the Mamba Mentality, but when I was younger and watching him, he was competing like it was the Finals. And to me, it was so inspiring because it allowed me to understand, this is what you need to be like."

Russ's statistical improvement from his freshman to sophomore year at UCLA was notable, with his averages increasing from 3.4 points, 0.7 assists, and 0.4 blocks per game to 12.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. However, the encounter with Kobe made him realize the necessity of improving his game further to elevate his status.

When he entered the NBA, the 9-time All-Star proved to be a stern challenge for Bryant to contain as he outscored him in 14 games, recorded more assists in 23, and grabbed more rebounds in 19. Even after Bryant retired in 2016, Brodie showed his true mettle by winning the MVP honor in the subsequent season.

Mamba Mentality lives through Russell Westbrook

Although Westbrook has developed many haters due to his decreasing efficiency and occasional questionable decisions during clutch moments, one cannot deny his immense heart. He injects energy into his team through his continuous hustle plays, tenacious defense, and fierce competitiveness, a quality he learned from Kobe.

So, it is safe to say that while the legendary Lakers shooting guard may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on through the two-time All-Star Game MVP.

Related: "I didn't smile much on the court either" - Kobe Bryant on his similarities with Russell Westbrook