Jerry West Shared New Details on the Time Kobe Bryant Told Him He Wanted to Play for the Grizzlies
Longtime NBA executive Jerry West revealed shocking news about Kobe Bryant’s career during a recent podcast appearance.
West, in an interview on Podcast P with Paul George, told the story of a meeting between him, Bryant and Bryant’s agent at the time, Rob Pelinka, in 2004 when Bryant hit free agency at the age of 25. According to West, who was the general manager of the Grizzlies at the time, Bryant told him he wanted to join Memphis in free agency before West talked him out of it.
“I looked at him and I said ‘You kidding me?’” West said. “I said ‘Kobe, no. You belong somewhere out here [in Los Angeles].’”
West and Bryant’s bond was a strong one: West had orchestrated the infamous 1996 trade that sent Vlade Divac to Charlotte for Bryant’s draft rights. West said on the podcast he “felt more like a father figure” to Bryant.
“I had a wonderful relationship with him, forget as a basketball player,” West said. “I loved what he stood for, his commitment to excellence.”
Bryant, of course, eventually decided to re-sign with the Lakers, choosing them over the Clippers and delivering two more championships to the organization in his storied career.
