Much has been made about Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas reaching out to Kobe Bryant for playoff advice. The two have watched film together as Thomas hopes to continue a run in the postseason with his team.
However, Thomas (whose film-watching sessions with Bryant began after the latter called to offer his condolences on the passing of Thomas’ sister) is not the only NBA star receiving guidance from the former Lakers’ great during the playoffs. As Bryant told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN, he is an “open book” for any players hoping to get some advice:
Bryant confirms he has had “many conversations” during the playoffs with Thomas, but says the Celtics star is just one of many current NBA stars who have reached out to Kobe for advice.
Bryant says he also talks regularly with Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, MVP candidates James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward, whom Kobe spent three days training with in Orange County last summer.
“I’m around for all the guys,” Bryant tells ESPN.com. “Anybody can reach out. It’s an open book.”
That’s a lot of firepower on the All-Mamba Students team. It’s worth reading the entirety of MacMullan’s piece for a few more details on Kobe’s process.
It’s pretty cool to see that Kobe is still part of the game even if he is not playing and, as he admits, watching basketball sparingly. Bryant made a living out of obsessing over specific moves and habits of his idols, notably Michael Jordan, and he’s passing that trait on – to an extent – to the next generation of NBA superstars.
