Lakers legend Kobe Bryant always admired Derrick Rose and in November, 2010, he praised him. The two stars had a private conversation and Bryant shared what he told D-Rose.
“I just told him to stay healthy and continue the job he’s doing,” Bryant explained. “I don’t think you can develop (a killer instinct). You either have it or you don’t. He’s had it since he was in high school. That quality separates players I think. With players of equal ability, it’s about the engine you have inside. It certainly gives him an edge.”
Rose displayed that killer instinct Bryant referenced when the Bulls beat the Lakers 88-84 in Chicago on December 10, 2010. Bryant’s competitiveness was legendary and it was evident throughout that game, but Rose took over and willed the Bulls to a win.
Rose got the Bulls going early. When Chicago went on a 24-11 run at the start of the game, Rose scored or assisted on 12 of those 24 points. The Lakers made a late rally but Rose ended it with two big baskets in the final 93 seconds. He led the way for the Bulls with 29 points and nine assists while Bryant had 23 points for the Lakers.
Rose Admires Bryant
“Kobe, he’s someone that I’ve looked up to ever since I came into the league. Someone that I did commercials with. Someone that always gave me advice about my game, just coming into the league. He’s seen how hard I worked and for him and all his accolades and his resume … I think that he’s leaving the game in some good hands.
“You’ve got [Stephen Curry] playing well, you’ve got a whole bunch of guys that’s right behind him giving their all to the game. And just for Kobe himself, he’s going to be a legend no matter what. He’s our [generation’s] Michael Jordan,” Rose said before his last game against Bryant on January 28, 2016.
“Kobe taught me so much just watching him, hearing him talk. It’s why I mention him a lot when I talk about the game. It’s special, the way he set guys up. He didn’t waste dribbles,” Rose wrote about Bryant in his book I’ll Show You.
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, a five-time NBA champion and a two-time NBA Finals MVP, also won the NBA MVP award in 2008. Although fellow Bulls legend Michael Jordan will always be considered the greatest player, Rose was right, Bryant is also one of the best ever.
