The hard work put in by top National Basketball Association rookie prospect Jalen Green during practice has caught the attention of many observers.
Because of this, the 18-year-old Green is being likened to the late Kobe Bryant in terms of intensity, footwork, skills, and basketball IQ.
“This built me. Morning, noon, and night. That’s why I developed my love for basketball,” said the Filipino-American on Zoom, referring to his workouts with his teammates and team Ignite in the NBA G-League.
Green, who has represented the United States in international meets and has also shown interest in playing for Gilas Pilipinas, is following the footsteps of Bryant.
But his coach Brian Shaw, who himself is one of the major influences in Bryant’s game when he was still alive and during his younger days, is telling and showing Green some moves that will help him to develop his own identity.
“I would never compare any player to Kobe. There’s only one Kobe and I want Jalen to be Jalen. I think the only comparison I will make with him to Kobe is that he wants to be great,” said Shaw on his observations with Green.
Green has been working so hard in practice, according to Shaw, that he had to tell the kid he needs to learn to rest and recover his energy.
Meanwhile, Shaw also recalled his days with Los Angeles as one of its assistant coaches as he personally looked into the game of Bryant, helping the 6’6” basketball superstar improve on his moves.
“I saw him over the years as he developed his discipline, like when you’re doing something as monotonous as stretching and icing every day. To warm down after you do a rigorous workout, those are hard to do. But Kobe had the discipline to do those things every single day,” said Shaw.
Bryant’s temper and attitude towards the officiating also changed through Shaw’s guidance.
Back in 2005, Shaw recalled that Bryant would get mad at the referee whenever he would do his plays, getting into trouble usually while driving for a basket.
Shaw then talked to Bryant about having an attitude of letting go. During their practice sessions, Bryant worked on his post-up moves and drives, with Shaw blocking him during the play through. When Bryant drove to the basket, Shaw would smack his hands and arms all the time.
“So when he would make his moves, I just hit him a bit harder. And he would say, ‘harder, harder!’ And I would smack him a bit more, until he was able to play through, and even if I have to put my entire body on his left arm. And that for me, is when I knew he was going to be a great player. Because he figured a way that they’re not gonna call it, and there’s not gonna be any fouls,” said Shaw.