Kenny Smith Opens Up About the Time Kobe Bryant Was Furious with Him for Assisting LeBron James.

In the world of basketball, few players command the kind of respect that Kobe Bryant earned during his illustrious career. Known for his intense competitiveness, his drive for perfection, and his relentless work ethic, Kobe’s legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is unquestionable. However, the man who often embodied that competitive fire also had a soft spot for his friends and teammates. But when it came to rivalries, Kobe never held back. This was especially true when it came to LeBron James, one of the few players who could rival Kobe’s stature in the basketball world.

One such incident, which has now become a notable story in NBA lore, involves Kenny “The Jet” Smith, a former NBA player and current basketball analyst. Smith, who made a name for himself with the Houston Rockets during their back-to-back championships in the mid-90s, has been a part of the NBA’s broadcasting world for many years. Known for his insightful commentary and easygoing demeanor, Smith has had the privilege of sharing the stage with many legendary players and coaches.

However, it was an incident involving Kobe Bryant and LeBron James that Kenny Smith recalls with a mix of humor and nostalgia. In a revealing interview, Smith opened up about a time when Kobe Bryant was furious with him for helping LeBron James. This story is not just a tale of rivalry, but also a window into the deep, competitive nature of the NBA, the personalities of its stars, and how relationships within the league evolve over time.

The Relationship Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James

Before diving into the specific incident, it’s essential to understand the complicated dynamic between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. On the court, the two were often seen as fierce rivals, with Kobe representing the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron the Cleveland Cavaliers, and later, the Miami Heat. Throughout their careers, they were frequently compared to one another—often as the two best players of their generation, with many fans and pundits arguing about who was better.

The rivalry reached its peak during the mid-2000s when LeBron was emerging as the face of the NBA, while Kobe was in the midst of his second prime, leading the Lakers to multiple championships. The debate about who was the superior player created a deep-seated rivalry between the two. Despite this, there was always a level of mutual respect between Kobe and LeBron. Both players acknowledged each other’s greatness, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t tension.

Kobe, a man known for his “Mamba Mentality,” took immense pride in his work ethic and his competitive drive. He viewed his journey as a solo one—he was a warrior, and that warrior spirit was often what fueled his disdain for anyone who seemed to threaten his place as the league’s best player. LeBron, on the other hand, has always been a more public figure, engaging in business ventures, activism, and community-building alongside his basketball career. Despite their differences in personality, both men were driven by a singular goal: winning championships.

Kenny Smith’s Role in the Drama

As a former NBA player and now an analyst on “Inside the NBA,” Kenny Smith has been a prominent figure in the basketball community for years. While Smith never reached the heights of a Kobe Bryant or a LeBron James, his basketball IQ and on-court vision were undeniable. Known for his leadership on the court and his ability to make plays, Smith had a front-row seat to some of the most memorable moments in NBA history.

Smith’s transition to broadcasting allowed him to become even more involved in the basketball world, and he frequently interacted with the biggest names in the game. He became close with both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, with the latter reaching out to Smith for advice and insight on his game.

Despite their rivalry, Kobe and LeBron were often in the same circles. They were both incredibly accomplished athletes, and despite Kobe’s competitive nature, he understood that his legacy would eventually intersect with LeBron’s. In fact, there was a level of camaraderie between the two, especially when it came to the US national basketball team. Both men played key roles in Team USA’s Olympic success, putting their personal differences aside for the greater good of the team.

However, things were different when it came to Smith. The former Rocket was a prominent voice in LeBron’s circle and had been one of the few figures in the basketball world who could offer a more neutral perspective. This role would soon put him at odds with Kobe Bryant.

The Incident: A Tense Moment Between Bryant and Smith

The drama unfolded during an offseason event when Kenny Smith was working with LeBron James. Smith had been giving LeBron some tips on his game, helping him to hone certain skills, and offering guidance in areas where LeBron wanted to improve. It was a typical moment for Smith, who often worked with players, sharing his knowledge and offering insight. However, what was an innocent act in the eyes of Smith did not sit well with Kobe Bryant.

Kenny Smith revealed that at the time, he was very close to both players. But when Kobe found out that Smith was helping LeBron, he wasn’t exactly thrilled. In fact, Smith recalled Kobe being furious with him. The reason? Kobe felt that Smith, someone he considered a peer and a respected figure in the basketball community, was offering advice to his “rival.” The idea of someone assisting LeBron—whom Kobe saw as the next heir to the throne—was too much for him to digest.

In the NBA, where rivalries run deep and competition is at the heart of every interaction, helping a competitor like LeBron was seen as a betrayal in Kobe’s eyes. To Kobe, every ounce of effort that went into making LeBron better felt like an advantage given to someone who could potentially usurp his dominance in the league. For Kobe, this wasn’t just basketball—this was personal. He had put in countless hours of work to reach the level of success he enjoyed, and the idea of anyone aiding LeBron in the same way was unacceptable.

Kenny Smith, while recounting the story, was clearly aware of the gravity of the situation. As a neutral party, he never intended to make the rivalry worse. He explained that his role was simply to offer advice and insight to a young player eager to learn—something that he had done countless times before. But to Kobe, this was a direct challenge to his place at the top.

The Aftermath and the Rivalry’s Impact on Their Friendship

After the incident, Kenny Smith explained that there was a brief period of tension between him and Kobe. Although their friendship remained intact, Smith recognized that the competitive fire within Kobe ran deeper than he had anticipated. For Smith, it was a reminder of just how fierce the NBA’s rivalries could be. Even when a player like LeBron James sought guidance from someone like Smith, it had the potential to affect relationships.

Kobe, for his part, likely understood that Smith was only doing what he thought was right—helping a young player with potential. But this didn’t lessen the sting of the perceived slight. It took time for the tension to dissipate, and Smith recalled that eventually, Kobe came around. In typical Kobe fashion, he didn’t hold grudges for too long. His focus was always on the game and his legacy.

In the grand scheme of things, this incident was just a small part of the complicated web of relationships within the NBA. Kobe’s anger at Smith reflected the intense competitiveness that defined him throughout his career. But it also revealed the respect he had for LeBron as a player—someone who could push him to be better and challenge his place in history.

For Kenny Smith, the entire episode became a story that he would share with a sense of humor and reflection. He had witnessed firsthand the kind of emotions that drove some of the greatest players to push themselves to the limit. In the end, the rivalry between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James would go down as one of the most compelling storylines in NBA history. But behind the rivalry was the understanding that both men, in their own way, represented the pinnacle of basketball excellence.

Kenny Smith’s story serves as a reminder of the immense passion and competitiveness that permeate the world of professional sports. The rivalry between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James was legendary, and even those who were close to both players were not immune to the intensity of the competition. In a world where every advantage matters, even something as innocuous as offering advice to a young player could become a point of contention.

Ultimately, Kobe’s fury over Smith’s assistance to LeBron was rooted in his desire to maintain his place at the top. But it also highlighted the respect he had for LeBron’s game. Over time, the two legends would come to respect one another, but their rivalry would remain a defining feature of their careers.

For Kenny Smith, it was just another memorable moment in the colorful and unpredictable world of the NBA. He had witnessed firsthand the lengths to which players would go to protect their legacies—and the sometimes delicate nature of friendships in a world where competition reigns supreme.