Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is a player with the Lakers at the same time Jackson coaches the team. It is with Kobe that Jackson has the most challenges as a coach. However, it also appears that Kobe is the player who learns the most from Jackson, telling him at one point that he’s realized Jackson’s way of leading is like a way of life to him. Although the two had a rough relationship, Jackson could probably be considered Kobe’s mentor. In a comparison of Kobe and Michael Jordan, Jackson said that Kobe was busy competing with himself while on the basketball court. In comparison, Jackson said Jordan competed with others, both on and off the court. He indicates it is Kobe’s need to compete with himself that makes him so hard to coach.

Jackson describes Kobe as a resilient player with an overwhelming self-confidence...