Marcus Smart had some strong words for the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
Lakers Fans Will Love What Marcus Smart Said About Kobe Bryant originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Marcus Smart is the most recent Boston Celtics alum to join the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. While Smart isn't the oldest player in the NBA by any means, he's old enough to have been in the league when Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was still playing.
Smart's first two NBA seasons coincided with Bryant's last two NBA seasons from 2014 to 2016. They faced off against each other twice, both of which were in Bryant's farewell season (2015-16). The Celtics and Lakers took one game apiece in the two games Smart and Kobe played against each other.
In their first game against each other, Bryant put up 15 points and 11 rebounds while shooting five-for-18 from the field, while Smart put up four points and two rebounds in the Lakers' win. In their second matchup, Bryant scored 34 points while shooting 11-for-28 from the field, while Smart put up seven points, six assists, and five rebounds in the Celtics' win.
Even though they only faced each other twice, and did so in the twilight of Bryant's career, Smart cherished matching up against the Laker legend. In an interview with the Lakers' Official YouTube Channel, Smart gave his genuine thoughts on what it was like to go up against Bryant, and how he looks up to Bryant now that he's a Laker himself.
"Honestly, I was shaking," Smart said. "...All I'm thinking is, my mom is watching me guarding Kobe. My brother's watching me guard Kobe. I hope somebody got a picture of this. In my mind, I'm like, 'Listen, just live in this moment' because to be on the court with one of the all-time greats is an honor, let alone to be guarding him. To embody the Mamba Mentality: patience, stealth, and a stone cold killer, and now to be a Laker with that mentality, it just amplifies it."
Smart and Bryant were close to becoming teammates in 2014. The Celtics picked Smart with the No. 6 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, just one spot ahead of the Lakers, who picked Julius Randle instead.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
