As one of the NBA's greatest players laces 'em up for one final game, I decided to share my first hand account of what it was like to play against Kobe Bryant in high school. Twice.
Who the hell is Kobe Bryant?
This story actually begins back in June of 1995. I had just finished my freshman year of high school, summer was still in it's infancy, and once again I found myself sitting on the front steps of Ridley High waiting for the coaches to round up the last of my teammates and head on out to another summer league basketball game.
By now this had been a typical way for me to spend my summer. I had been playing basketball in the Ridley summer leagues since about the 6th grade, something most kids in the area did who were interested in playing for the prestigious program in high school. And during this particular summer I finally had an opportunity to make a name for myself as a contributing player to the varsity, a fairly big deal for a sophomore.
"Let's go, you're late!" Coach Garrison would cackle as the last of my teammates showed up while everybody was in the other cars waiting. "Whaddya think that you're shit don't stink? Let's go, I don't want to hear you're excuses either, excuses are like assholes: everybody has 'em and they all stink!"
(It was always fun to hear some of the coaches get on people, they did have some funny one-liners. Never was fun when it was you, though.)
(It was always fun to hear some of the coaches get on people, they did have some funny one-liners. Never was fun when it was you, though.)
So we finally arrived at the gym for the game and as usual, the young guys (me and a few others) would have to grab the lacrosse sized bag full of basketballs and lug them out of the cars and into the gym. As I was trudging along, bag of balls in hand, I had overheard one of the seniors mention a name that I'd never heard of before. A name that had this weird sounding first name to it. A name that will now be forever synonymous with NBA Legends. He turned to another senior and said, "I think Kobe Bryant is playing in the gym next us." When I heard him I just assumed he was talking about some kid he knew from growing up, maybe someone who he played against over the years...basically a kid who could "ball". Little did I know who he was really referring to. I thought to myself, "who the hell is Kobe Bryant?" But by then the moment had come and gone. I was too busy focusing my attention on the game at hand, trying to solidify my spot on the team. I never saw Kobe that night, and probably by the time I got home I had forgotten about it. But the one thing I could recall is the tone of my teammates voice when he mentioned Kobe; I knew that this kid he was talking about was pretty dang good at basketball.
The build up to the Battle
Fast forward to November, our season was moving along and not only did I make the team, but through a certain string of events I was named to the starting lineup. An even bigger deal for a sophomore.
Now, since Kobe attended Lower Merion High, a team in the Central League along with Ridley, we not only got to play them once, but twice during the regular season. Our first scheduled match up came towards the middle of the season, I believe sometime after the New Year. We had started the season off strong, winning more games than we lost, triumphed in our own Christmas tournament. By the time January 1996 rolled around, we had become what I'd consider a formidable opponent and ready for the challenge that was Kobe Bryant.
Now, since Kobe attended Lower Merion High, a team in the Central League along with Ridley, we not only got to play them once, but twice during the regular season. Our first scheduled match up came towards the middle of the season, I believe sometime after the New Year. We had started the season off strong, winning more games than we lost, triumphed in our own Christmas tournament. By the time January 1996 rolled around, we had become what I'd consider a formidable opponent and ready for the challenge that was Kobe Bryant.
There was an obvious stir in the crowd during the pre-game. We noticed more people than usual were showing up, at least more people than before. Even our high school friends who never had an interest in basketball were showing up, or should I say showing up at the beginning of the game rather than coming in for free at halftime.
The Varsity players would usually get to the gym early enough to sit in the corner and watch the JV team play their game, rest, and mentally prepare for the upcoming tilt. We always drew a fairly decent crowd during our games but there was obviously something different about this one. By the time we left to go to the locker room (about halfway thru the 3rd), the gym stands were now full.
The Varsity players would usually get to the gym early enough to sit in the corner and watch the JV team play their game, rest, and mentally prepare for the upcoming tilt. We always drew a fairly decent crowd during our games but there was obviously something different about this one. By the time we left to go to the locker room (about halfway thru the 3rd), the gym stands were now full.
Now, you got to remember, this is 1995. Everybody is still watching movies on VCR's and VHS tapes, not on Netflix. The internet hadn't taken over everybody's lives just yet, there was no YouTube, no iPhones, none of that shit. And since we had games basically 2-3 times a week playing different opponents, I still really hadn't got to know who this Kobe kid was. We had talked about him and his team during the week, prepped just like it was any other game, nothing different. I can't recall much about the prep for that game now, but I do remember one of my assistant coaches telling us that "when Kobe dunks and the crowd goes nuts, remember, it's only 2 points." I was taken aback a bit, thought it was an odd thing to say at the time. He was basically preparing us mentally to be ready for when Kobe dunks, not if he dunks. Not something you used to worrying about from a high school kid. And Kobe didn't disappoint.
The Game
We always entered the gym from the South end, from an entrance behind the home stands. From where I could stand, behind that door, I could hear the rumblings of the crowd, feeling the vibrations from all the fans stomping and clapping in the stands. I knew this game was gonna be big.
We always entered the gym from the South end, from an entrance behind the home stands. From where I could stand, behind that door, I could hear the rumblings of the crowd, feeling the vibrations from all the fans stomping and clapping in the stands. I knew this game was gonna be big.
As we ran out of the entrance, the gym was wall-to-wall packed. The crowd went nuts for us as we ran out, and I could feel that extra adrenaline kick in. Our routine was to do a lap around the gym then break off into layup lines. As soon as we rounded the other end of the floor I got my first glimpse of the future 'Black Mamba'. Tall, lanky, definitely looked like a basketball player but nothing I haven't seen before. I'm not saying I wasn't going to give him the respect based on what I'd heard, but I wanted him to earn it, I just wasn't going to bow down because of who he was. Didn't take long for me to find out.
The game starts and I think we're down like 15-5 after the first. Kobe's getting his, but his team was what was really killing us. They had a sophomore point guard, Emory Dabney, who had a really good handle. Another sophomore shooting guard, Dan Pangrazio, who was about 6'3" and basically a 3 point specialist-and good. They also had a really good strong forward in Jermaine Griffith who was a great compliment to Kobe. They played well together, a very well-oiled machine. It was obvious that Kobe was their superstar, but he definitely had a great supporting cast that made them extremely tough to beat.
Throughout the game we battled, but never really got close. Kobe got one good alley-oop dunk on us, and I do remember fouling Kobe as he launched a first half desperation 3 from about 3o feet out right before the end of the half. He made all 3 foul shots. I think Kobe ended the night with 25 I think, and we lost by 15.
Now, even though the final score said blowout, I thought we were never really out of it, just never really in it. It seemed like for the entire game we were just always down by 10. We'd make a run, then they'd make a run, but we just couldn't get over that hump. They were too good, just a better team. And I was more upset about the loss than by the special opportunity I had just been a part of.
But what was so cool about the whole experience was just being able to play in front of a large crowd, going nuts when you make a simple layup. It's certainly a feeling I'll never forget, center stage, big game, crowd on their feet on every possession. It's something I got to experience a few times during my high school sports days, but that was probably the most intense. If you ever played sports, that's something you always dreamed of doing, and I got to do it twice.
But what was so cool about the whole experience was just being able to play in front of a large crowd, going nuts when you make a simple layup. It's certainly a feeling I'll never forget, center stage, big game, crowd on their feet on every possession. It's something I got to experience a few times during my high school sports days, but that was probably the most intense. If you ever played sports, that's something you always dreamed of doing, and I got to do it twice.
So with the game over, I showered and walked out to meet some friends and go home. As I came out towards the front of the gym I could see all the little kids (and even some grown-ups) jumping around as Kobe was just coming out of their locker room. They were hounding him for autographs and pictures, something I didn't want to watch any part of. And even though I didn't see it, I even heard that some of my teammates went to get his autograph. Me? Fuck, no, I didn't care who he was. He just beat our ass up and down the floor and you think I'm going to go ask him to sign something for me? Out of your mind, I had too much pride then.
I'm sure you're thinking, "yeah, but knowing what you know now, would you still not ask for an autograph?" My answers still no. The experience I had sharing the floor with a future NBA legend (twice) is fine with me. That's better than some piece of paper with his name on it. Sure, it might be worth thousands, but I ask you, what's worth more, the autograph or to be able to say I played on the same floor as Kobe Bryant?
The Rematch
The second game, well, it wasn't much different than the first. It was at their place and was almost an exact replica of our inaugural battle. We got down early, we couldn't climb back, we lose by 15. Don't get me wrong, it was still an experience and their place was rockin' too, however, I felt it wasn't as electric because I guess, by now, those students at Lower Merion had been spoiled over the last 4 years being able to watch that kid play. They'd seen it all before. They were used to the greatness. They were lucky, too.
The second game, well, it wasn't much different than the first. It was at their place and was almost an exact replica of our inaugural battle. We got down early, we couldn't climb back, we lose by 15. Don't get me wrong, it was still an experience and their place was rockin' too, however, I felt it wasn't as electric because I guess, by now, those students at Lower Merion had been spoiled over the last 4 years being able to watch that kid play. They'd seen it all before. They were used to the greatness. They were lucky, too.
One Crazy Year
Now, what you might not know was Kobe wasn't the only NBA champion I played against that year. We had an away game against Coatesville who featured future NBA All-Star Richard Hamilton. For those of you who don't know who Richard Hamilton is, he was a NCAA champion at the University of Connecticut, he made this memorable shot during their 1998 tournament run that won a game to stay alive, then went on to win 2 NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons. And I'll be honest, at the time I thought Richard was a more all-around player. Don't get me wrong, Kobe was good, but I pegged Kobe as a scorer and a slasher. I didn't know how he'd pan out in the NBA. Richard could handle, shoot, post up, defend...he had all the tools. Or so I thought. I even thought Richard might have a better career. I guess I was wrong.
The Beginning of a Legend
In April of 1996, I watched as Kobe Bryant held a press conference where he decided to forego college and take his talents to the NBA as an 18 year old kid and play with the worlds best.
In April of 1996, I watched as Kobe Bryant held a press conference where he decided to forego college and take his talents to the NBA as an 18 year old kid and play with the worlds best.
As Kobe's career blossomed, I continued to watch him and it just seemed like year after year Kobe got better and better. Then all of a sudden he's winning championships, MVP's, scoring titles and I'm like 'Wow, this kid could be one of the best of all-time.' No doubt he's definitely in the conversation.
And I never hated Kobe. Loved his intensity, loved his work ethic, loved that killer instinct. Never once did criticize him for playing the way he did. (He did shoot a little too much, but I guess when you're that good it doesn't matter.) He played the game the way it should be played, even back when he played in high school.
One Final Game
I'm sitting on my couch and it's just about time for Kobe to be announced for his final start as a Los Angeles Laker. I'm actually excited to watch Kobe play, but sad to see another great player go. If you're 36 years old like me, you know players like Kobe only come around once in a generation. And it was always cool to be able to say that I played against that guy, even though it was just in high school before all his true basketball greatness. For that moment 20 years ago, I shared the floor with that guy. That guy who won 5 NBA championships. That guy who won Olympic Gold. That guy who was an NBA MVP. That guy who scored more career points than Michael Jordan. Michael Freakin' Jordan. Now that's special. And I'll always be proud to say that I got to share the court with a legend. Twice.
Until next time. -JM
And I never hated Kobe. Loved his intensity, loved his work ethic, loved that killer instinct. Never once did criticize him for playing the way he did. (He did shoot a little too much, but I guess when you're that good it doesn't matter.) He played the game the way it should be played, even back when he played in high school.
One Final Game
I'm sitting on my couch and it's just about time for Kobe to be announced for his final start as a Los Angeles Laker. I'm actually excited to watch Kobe play, but sad to see another great player go. If you're 36 years old like me, you know players like Kobe only come around once in a generation. And it was always cool to be able to say that I played against that guy, even though it was just in high school before all his true basketball greatness. For that moment 20 years ago, I shared the floor with that guy. That guy who won 5 NBA championships. That guy who won Olympic Gold. That guy who was an NBA MVP. That guy who scored more career points than Michael Jordan. Michael Freakin' Jordan. Now that's special. And I'll always be proud to say that I got to share the court with a legend. Twice.
Until next time. -JM
