Michael Jordan Wizards Highlights

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Cleveland Cavaliers head advisor Tyronn Lue was at his second NBA period with all the la Lakers when a normal training turned into his many unforgettable Kobe Bryant story, one that stands apart in a collection of thousands.

"we are playing five-on-five 1 day plus it was the silver team up against the white staff, " Lue stated on Tuesday. "it had been myself, Devean George, Brian Shaw, Mark Madsen and I also wish state Slava Medvedenko, playing against the very first product - against Fish (Derek Fisher), Kob, Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal).

"lengthy story short is, it had been a-game point and (Bryant) drove standard and I also was at the elbow. He drove baseline and I also transpired the lane and I pinned his dunk resistant to the glass. He tried to dunk it and I blocked it contrary to the glass. We emerged down, Devean George made a layup for online game and Brian Shaw went, 'Ahhh, he blocked you!' He went crazy. Kobe desired to fight myself at first then, second, he wanted to play one-on-one after practice."

That is Bryant - a popular player with an unequaled competitive drive, his biggest trait that also contributes to a complex legacy.

"(Bryant said) 'We going to play one-on-one, me personally and also you.' I said, 'No, i am perhaps not playing you one-on-one, '" Lue stated, continuing the story. "he had been so mad and, after that, it was just, day-after-day we stepped onto the courtroom, he only moved after me personally everyday. It absolutely was crazy. After that, like many tales, only playing one-on-one each and every day, each time we obtained an innovative new man, however play those dudes one-on-one after each rehearse in order to demonstrate to them, like, 'i am the man, i am the guy.' performed exactly the same thing with Glen Rice. Only his competitive nature, guy, it was just unbelievable."

Lue used Bryant for three years in Los Angeles. Bryant, whom keeps a reputation for straining interactions with teammates during their playing times, recently stated, "buddies may come and get, but ads hang forever."

However, Lue and Bryant still have a connection, also chatting two months ago whenever Lue requested tomorrow Hall-of-Famer to signal a No. 24 jersey for a buddy.

On Wednesday evening, in front of a sellout audience at Quicken Loans Arena, Bryant's last time in the building, Lue will reunite using Lakers legend.

"You talk to Kobe when you get an opportunity, however don't want to wear your relationship on with him, " Lue stated. "Anytime we see him, when I call him or must speak to him, he's constantly there. He constantly sees. I am aware tomorrow he will come over probably offer myself a hug before the game and speak with me and say congratulations. But such a good bond that We have with him, playing in L.A. for three-years, winning two titles. It is simply a bond that can not be damaged."

Following his amount of time in Los Angeles, Lue moved onto Washington, an instant stint aided by the Wizards, playing alongside Michael Jordan within tail end of his job.

"Him and Kobe was the spitting image of each and every other, " Lue stated of Jordan. "simply his competitive nature, always desired to practice, never desired to remain away a practice and Doug Collins had to fundamentally you will need to make him, but however never sit from rehearse. Get fully up early each and every morning, have actually something called the 'Breakfast Club, ' in which all guys would go raise in the morning then are offered in for shootaround and whoever decided to go to carry, he'd pay money for their morning meal and whatever, but he was just a competitor. Additionally, (Jordan) ended up being using one knee at the age 40 in which he nonetheless wished to participate daily."

Lue, that has been around LeBron James since 2014, sees those same characteristics in the Cavs' frontrunner.

"LeBron's the in an identical way, it is simply they're more singing about it, " Lue stated. "they truly are much more demonstrative about any of it. They will access it men. They are going to cuss men out. They will even battle men whether they have to, to make certain thatis just the difference, nevertheless they nonetheless all have the same will to win and be able to manage a game title like this."

The emotions will surely be running on top of Wednesday night as the Kobe Bryant farewell trip tends to make its remain in Cleveland, his final regular season online game against the Cavaliers and one-time rival James.

"Anytime I even watch his games, even if i am maybe not playing him, it is usually like extremely emotional simply understanding it is their last hurrah, " James said recently. "And he's done this a lot not only the Lakers company but for me as a youngster developing up viewing Kobe and things of this nature and in addition contending against him.

"So, it will likely be really cool to see him on Wednesday for certain and hopefully, I know our followers, they're going to offer him a fantastic reception - well deserved."

The very last time James and Bryant played against each other was final January at the Staples Center. James poured in 36 points in a Cavs win; Bryant included 19 points and a career-high 17 assists.