On the anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death, here's a story you've probably never heard.
Time for a thread πππ
Time for a thread πππ
1) Let's start in 2007...
Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers have just lost in the first round of playoffs to the Phoenix Suns.
Frustrated that the Lakers were unable to build a championship-level roster, Kobe started to plan his exit.
His preferred destination?
Chicago.
Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers have just lost in the first round of playoffs to the Phoenix Suns.
Frustrated that the Lakers were unable to build a championship-level roster, Kobe started to plan his exit.
His preferred destination?
Chicago.
2) Given his desire to be traded, Kobe Bryant inquired about working out at nearby UC Irvine during the offseason.
As a small mid-major program with poor facilities, no one actually thought Kobe Bryant would show up β until he did.
This is where it gets interestingβ¦
As a small mid-major program with poor facilities, no one actually thought Kobe Bryant would show up β until he did.
This is where it gets interestingβ¦
3) As a 26-year-old assistant coach making $17,000, Ryan Badrtalei was tasked with opening & closing the gym for Kobe should he want to work out.
The interesting part?
Kobe called.
"Hey, Ryan, this is Kobe. Let's do it. I'll be at the gym tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock.β
The interesting part?
Kobe called.
"Hey, Ryan, this is Kobe. Let's do it. I'll be at the gym tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock.β
4) Once he realized that Ryan Badrtalei was an assistant coach on the basketball team, Kobe chirped:
"You're just going to sit over there and not help us? I thought you coached basketball."
When Badrtalei stood up to help, he could've never imagined what would happen next.
"You're just going to sit over there and not help us? I thought you coached basketball."
When Badrtalei stood up to help, he could've never imagined what would happen next.
5) After gaining mutual respect for each other during tough workouts, Kobe asked Badrtalei to serve as his strength and conditioning coach.
Over the next decade, each summer, from April to October, Kobe arrived at UC Irvine's gym at 5 AM or 11 PM, with workouts lasting 3+ hours.
Over the next decade, each summer, from April to October, Kobe arrived at UC Irvine's gym at 5 AM or 11 PM, with workouts lasting 3+ hours.
6) After home games at the Staples Center, Kobe Bryant would be found in the UC Irvine training room, receiving treatment or an ice bath.
His presence at UC Irvine became "normal."
The craziest part?
Still an assistant coach at UC Irvine, Badrtalei was working 17 hour days.
His presence at UC Irvine became "normal."
The craziest part?
Still an assistant coach at UC Irvine, Badrtalei was working 17 hour days.
7) While the relationship between Kobe Bryant and Ryan Badrtalei started as a test, the on-court results solidified it.
The year after they started working out together, Kobe won MVP, then an Olympic gold medal & 2 NBA titles in '10 & '11.
Put simply, Badrtalei was now his guy.
The year after they started working out together, Kobe won MVP, then an Olympic gold medal & 2 NBA titles in '10 & '11.
Put simply, Badrtalei was now his guy.
8) While most people in the NBA never understood the full extent of their relationship, after training together for a decade, Kobe Bryant and Ryan Badrtalei became family.
Don't believe me?
Here are a few storiesβ¦
Don't believe me?
Here are a few storiesβ¦
9) When they weren't training, Ryan Badrtalei often accompanied Kobe to Angels games or dinners with celebrities like David Beckham & Tom Hanks.
He acted as his bodyguard.
The best story?
Kobe showed up at Badrtalei's birthday party.
His wife, family & friends were stunned.
He acted as his bodyguard.
The best story?
Kobe showed up at Badrtalei's birthday party.
His wife, family & friends were stunned.
10) When Ryan Badrtalei and his wife got married, Kobe Bryant directed them to Bora Bora for their honeymoon β the same place he and Vanessa went.
That's not all...
Kobe designed personalized KOBE VIs for the wedding party, stitched with names & the wedding date on the tongues.
That's not all...
Kobe designed personalized KOBE VIs for the wedding party, stitched with names & the wedding date on the tongues.
11) On the morning of the Lakers championship parade in '09, Kobe asked Badrtalei to attend a "family breakfast."
Noticing it was only players & family, Badrtalei tried to leave.
Kobe said, "Where are you going?"
Before Badrtalei knew it, he was on the bus cruising through LA.
Noticing it was only players & family, Badrtalei tried to leave.
Kobe said, "Where are you going?"
Before Badrtalei knew it, he was on the bus cruising through LA.
12) After they won the title in '09, Rob Pelinka β Kobe's agent at the time β called Badrtalei asking for his ring size.
Badrtalei declined.
Fast forward seven years, two weeks after Kobe retired, he called Badrtalei to his office.
He opened the box.
Badrtalei was stunned.
Badrtalei declined.
Fast forward seven years, two weeks after Kobe retired, he called Badrtalei to his office.
He opened the box.
Badrtalei was stunned.
13) When Kobe Bryant retired in 2016, Ryan Badrtalei flew with him to his second-to-last home game.
They chatted about family & his post-playing ambitions, but eventually, Badrtalei asked him how his last game would go.
"I'm going to get 50."
He got 60.
They chatted about family & his post-playing ambitions, but eventually, Badrtalei asked him how his last game would go.
"I'm going to get 50."
He got 60.
14) My favorite part of the story?
The facilities that were often deemed inadequate by college basketball recruits seemed to work just fine for the best player in the world.
It's funny how that works.
The facilities that were often deemed inadequate by college basketball recruits seemed to work just fine for the best player in the world.
It's funny how that works.
15) In the end, I love this story for one simple reason:
Kobe Bryant was ruthless in his pursuit of perfection, always demanding the most out of people, but if he trusted you, he treated you like family.
With Kobe and Gigi now gone, that's quite the legacy to leave behind.
Kobe Bryant was ruthless in his pursuit of perfection, always demanding the most out of people, but if he trusted you, he treated you like family.
With Kobe and Gigi now gone, that's quite the legacy to leave behind.
16) The details & photos for this thread were sourced from @MattNorlander's article last year.
He did an amazing job detailing the unique bond that Kobe Bryant and Ryan Badrtalei shared.
You can read the full article here: cbssports.com/college-basketβ¦
He did an amazing job detailing the unique bond that Kobe Bryant and Ryan Badrtalei shared.
You can read the full article here: cbssports.com/college-basketβ¦
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