Tim MacMahon

It's certainly the standard for Nico, right? And Nico had relationships with a lot of guys over the years at Nike, none like he did with Kobe. I mean, he worked his way up the ranks at Nike in large part by being Kobe's guy and then working up from there.

It's certainly the standard for Nico, right? And Nico had relationships with a lot of guys over the years at Nike, none like he did with Kobe. I mean, he worked his way up the ranks at Nike in large part by being Kobe's guy and then working up from there.

And like, look, when Kyrie tore his ACL about a month after the trade, Nico puts out a statement and he references Kobe in the statement talking about, you know, I've... praising Kyrie's work ethic, but bringing up Kobe as the comparison. And Nico said, you know, I've lived it. So yes, there is this relationship that Nico had with Kobe. Basically, that's his vision of the superstar.

And like, look, when Kyrie tore his ACL about a month after the trade, Nico puts out a statement and he references Kobe in the statement talking about, you know, I've... praising Kyrie's work ethic, but bringing up Kobe as the comparison. And Nico said, you know, I've lived it. So yes, there is this relationship that Nico had with Kobe. Basically, that's his vision of the superstar.

And like, look, when Kyrie tore his ACL about a month after the trade, Nico puts out a statement and he references Kobe in the statement talking about, you know, I've... praising Kyrie's work ethic, but bringing up Kobe as the comparison. And Nico said, you know, I've lived it. So yes, there is this relationship that Nico had with Kobe. Basically, that's his vision of the superstar.

That's his vision of a face of the franchise. That's his standard high standard for work ethic. And, you know, listen, Luca doesn't fit into that mold. Like Luca does enjoy to have a post-game brew ski or two ski or six ski, you know, like Luca. I mean, you know, the man is going to eat steak and potatoes and the weight fluctuates and, you know, all these kind of things.

That's his vision of a face of the franchise. That's his standard high standard for work ethic. And, you know, listen, Luca doesn't fit into that mold. Like Luca does enjoy to have a post-game brew ski or two ski or six ski, you know, like Luca. I mean, you know, the man is going to eat steak and potatoes and the weight fluctuates and, you know, all these kind of things.

That's his vision of a face of the franchise. That's his standard high standard for work ethic. And, you know, listen, Luca doesn't fit into that mold. Like Luca does enjoy to have a post-game brew ski or two ski or six ski, you know, like Luca. I mean, you know, the man is going to eat steak and potatoes and the weight fluctuates and, you know, all these kind of things.

He's a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who's yet to hit his prime years. He averaged 34-10-9, led the league in scoring, led the Mavs to the finals, while, by the way, playing the most minutes over the regular season and playoffs of anybody in the NBA. And, you know, honestly, he had Kobe's stamp of approval.

He's a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who's yet to hit his prime years. He averaged 34-10-9, led the league in scoring, led the Mavs to the finals, while, by the way, playing the most minutes over the regular season and playoffs of anybody in the NBA. And, you know, honestly, he had Kobe's stamp of approval.

He's a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who's yet to hit his prime years. He averaged 34-10-9, led the league in scoring, led the Mavs to the finals, while, by the way, playing the most minutes over the regular season and playoffs of anybody in the NBA. And, you know, honestly, he had Kobe's stamp of approval.

You know, I mean, sadly, the last NBA game that Kobe attended was courtside at, you know, Staples Center then. And yes, that's the scene where he's famously started talking some trash and still be anyone. Luke was about to inbound the ball. Luca turns around and it's Kobe. you know, with his daughter, with Gigi. And Gigi's favorite player was Luka Doncic.

You know, I mean, sadly, the last NBA game that Kobe attended was courtside at, you know, Staples Center then. And yes, that's the scene where he's famously started talking some trash and still be anyone. Luke was about to inbound the ball. Luca turns around and it's Kobe. you know, with his daughter, with Gigi. And Gigi's favorite player was Luka Doncic.

You know, I mean, sadly, the last NBA game that Kobe attended was courtside at, you know, Staples Center then. And yes, that's the scene where he's famously started talking some trash and still be anyone. Luke was about to inbound the ball. Luca turns around and it's Kobe. you know, with his daughter, with Gigi. And Gigi's favorite player was Luka Doncic.

Kobe brought his daughter to the game to see Luka. You know, Kobe and Luka had a moment after the game. And I mean, Kobe loved the kid's game. Now, look, obviously he wasn't with him on a day-to-day basis, evaluating the work ethic. But again, Luka's not the first superstar who's, you know...

Kobe brought his daughter to the game to see Luka. You know, Kobe and Luka had a moment after the game. And I mean, Kobe loved the kid's game. Now, look, obviously he wasn't with him on a day-to-day basis, evaluating the work ethic. But again, Luka's not the first superstar who's, you know...

Kobe brought his daughter to the game to see Luka. You know, Kobe and Luka had a moment after the game. And I mean, Kobe loved the kid's game. Now, look, obviously he wasn't with him on a day-to-day basis, evaluating the work ethic. But again, Luka's not the first superstar who's, you know...

had a little bit, you know, had a healthy appetite and who, you know, maybe didn't enjoy the rigorous mundane preparation details and who would have an adult beverage or three or four. So, The production, to me, that kind of production gives a guy a lot of leeway. But again, Mikko's bet is that the body's going to break down in his prime.

had a little bit, you know, had a healthy appetite and who, you know, maybe didn't enjoy the rigorous mundane preparation details and who would have an adult beverage or three or four. So, The production, to me, that kind of production gives a guy a lot of leeway. But again, Mikko's bet is that the body's going to break down in his prime.

had a little bit, you know, had a healthy appetite and who, you know, maybe didn't enjoy the rigorous mundane preparation details and who would have an adult beverage or three or four. So, The production, to me, that kind of production gives a guy a lot of leeway. But again, Mikko's bet is that the body's going to break down in his prime.