Everyone in the sports world is taking a moment today to honor Kobe Bryant on social media before Kobe’s final NBA game. One such person is former Bulls, Rockets, and Trail Blazers star Scottie Pippen. Unlike most people who sent out one tweet with the hashtag #MambaTweets and maybe a picture, Pippen sent out a handful of tweets in which he looked back on No. 8/24’s career.
A few thoughts on Kobe Bean Bryant now that #MambaDay has arrived… @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/CrV5dvAh7n
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Pippen started by talking about one of Kobe’s most highly-regarded traits: his desire to work harder than anyone else. In a moment that Kobe will absolutely take as a compliment, Pipped said that Kobe’s work ethic and competitive drive was on par with that of Michael Jordan.
A few thoughts on Kobe Bean Bryant now that #MambaDay has arrived… @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/CrV5dvAh7n
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
What really made Kobe great was his ability to work, even when he wasn't in front of the fans. #MambaDay
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Kobe spent as much time as anyone developing his game. It paid off, to me he ranks behind only MJ among all players in the last few decades.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Next, Pippen decided to talk about his relationship with Kobe. He mentioned that the two of them rarely crossed paths, they played a handful of times and were only in the league together for about eight years, but he did compliment the respect Kobe showed him and said the two of them do talk on occasion.
Kobe and I have never been all that close personally but we have a sense of mutual respect for each other and we talk on occasion…
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
…And I appreciate that Kobe was a student of the game. He respected those who played before him & relied on them to help him become great.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
While Pippen briefly mentioned Jordan earlier, he did tackle the biggest elephant in the room when it comes to Kobe the basketball player: How he compares to MJ.
As for comparing Kobe to MJ, a lot of that has to do with the way they led. Both were the backbones of their teams and they went all out.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Kobe and MJ were both capable of dominating in a lot of areas, respected on D as well as offense and had such high levels of charisma.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Pippen ended his Twitter rumblings by touching on Kobe’s legacy as a Laker and as a basketball player. You’ll never believe this, but Pippen holds him in the highest regard.
I'll remember @kobebryant as one of the greatest @Lakers ever, right next to @MagicJohnson and among the game's all-time elite players.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
His legacy? A champion whose contributions to the game won't ever be forgotten. Best of luck with what's next, @kobebryant. #MambaDay
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) April 13, 2016
Watching older basketball players use their knowledge of the game to contextualize things that are happening right now is always cool. That’s absolutely the case here, as Pippen is a smart dude who followed Kobe’s career and was the second banana to Jordan, the guy whom everyone compares to Kobe.
Hopefully this becomes a thing that happens every time a star basketball player retires.
