Matt Barnes Explains How Kobe Bryant Flinch Story Really Went Down: Watch

BYAlexander Cole91.8K Views
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Kobe Bryant & Matt Barnes
Kobe is a different kind of player.

Kobe Bryant has done some pretty incredible things in his career, including winning five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant is easily one of the best players to ever step onto a basketball court and he has contributed to some pretty iconic moments over the years. Perhaps one of the most longlasting visuals we have of Kobe is when Matt Barnes shoved a ball right in his face and he didn't even flinch. It's a clip that has stood the test of time as a reminder of how much of a competitor Bryant is.

During a recent interview with Vlad TV, Barnes was asked about the moment and how it all came to fruition. As Barnes states, Kobe was a player who could get under your skin and during the game, Barnes was ready to fight. While imbounding the ball, he was focused on the players up the court and didn't realize he was about to check Kobe. That's when shoved the ball in his face and Kobe wouldn't even blink. Admittedly, Barnes was surprised by it all.

Barnes went on to compliment Kobe and how they always had a vast mutual respect for one another. After the incident, Barnes became a free agent and got a personal phone call from Bryant who asked him to join the Lakers. Of course, Barnes ended up accepting the offer and the rest was history.

Needless to say, it's interesting to hear just how fearless Bryant was out on the court.


About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current Managing Editor of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. During this time, he has shown an expertise in Air Jordans, Yeezys, and all things that have to do with Nike. His favorite kicks are the Air Jordan 1 High OG, the Air Jordan 4, the Air Jordan 6, and the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the "Beluga 2.0" colorway. Although his collection might not be the biggest, he is always looking to add new styles to it. When it comes to sports, Alex has a particular interest in the NBA and the NFL. His favorite teams are anywhere LeBron goes, and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a Montrealer, the Montreal Canadiens hold a special place in his heart, even if they haven't won the Stanley Cup in his lifetime. Alex also works for the Concordia Stingers, where he provides play-by-play and color commentary for the football, hockey, and basketball teams His favorite hip-hop artists are Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert.
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