It was a tumultuous relationship at times. Kobe the stubborn colt who refused to change in the beginning almost chased coach Phil Jackson off the Laker bench. The Kobe-Shaq thing was almost too much for the coach who would eventually win eleven NBA championships combined with Michael and Kobe.
Phil was a different coach. He wanted his players to be readers. He wanted them to meditate. He clearly equated winning with being a smart team and a clutch team. From a book I read on Phil he would give each player on his teams a book he specifically wanted that player to read and they would discuss the book in private as the season moved along.
At the ceremony I genuinely hope Phil speaks of what his relationship with Kobe taught him as far as life and his journey as a coach.
Kobe was not stupid. He didn’t buy in just to buy in. He was too prideful to walk that road.
I would love to hear Phil talk of this relationship when the emotion isn’t this raw.