You know why I never used to agree with “Kobe was Mike 2.0” or he mimicked his game? Because the thing that actually separated him from Mike and made him more lethal was the street game he picked up on in Philly during the 90’s streetball boom.

This wiggle at 6’6 was unseen. Mamba came up in the midst of the 90’s streetball boom. This is before And1. That era had a huge influence on guys like AI, Marbury, Franchise, Kobe.

Breaking ankles was something Bean took pride in and did in the NBA. A lot.

This is also what made Bryant’s game so appealing early on because you had a MJ prototype with that street game flare (he was voted into ASG as a sophomore off swagger) You could see it in his handle, his selling of moves, his finishes and just that swagger.

True story: God Shammgod taught Kobe Bryant his move. Bryant used this as a vet, as the best player in the world. My goodness.

Even this: He was the most skilled player ever and a lot of it had to do with what he learned in the street game. Mamba perfected it through reps. This is unreal levels of swagger, skill and touch. The left hand, too.

@ThrowbackHoops