A Disagreement and Its Aftermath

Former NBA guard Jeremy Lin recently shared a story about a tense exchange with the late Kobe Bryant during their time as teammates on the 2014-15 Los Angeles Lakers. The incident led to Bryant ceasing communication with Lin for five months.

The conflict stemmed from a late-game situation where Bryant and then-Lakers head coach Byron Scott gave Lin conflicting instructions regarding whether to foul. Lin hesitated, and Bryant reportedly displayed negative body language.

The Text Exchange

Following the game, Lin decided to address Bryant directly. I texted him, ‘Hey man, I don’t appreciate the body language,’” Lin recounted on Dwight Howard’s “Above the Rim” podcast. And he came back with a sharp response, and I came back at him.”

“It ended cordial, where I ended up saying, ‘I’m not saying you can’t teach me. You’re obviously a hundred times the player that I am. I want to learn anything and everything I can from you. I’m just asking if, could you just say and do it in a way that’s respectful to me as a man.’”

Jeremy Lin, via “Above the Rim” podcast

Five Months of Silence

Despite an initial positive response from Bryant, a period of silence followed. Lin revealed that Bryant didn’t speak to me for the next five months.” The two eventually reconciled, with Bryant explaining that he wasn’t accustomed to being challenged by a teammate.

Lin’s Career Beyond the Lakers

Lin’s time with the Lakers was brief, but he continued a successful NBA career. He is remembered for his Linsanity period with the New York Knicks and later won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

FAQ

What caused the conflict between Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant?

The conflict arose from a disagreement during a game where Lin received conflicting instructions from Bryant and his coach regarding whether to foul.

How long did Kobe Bryant not speak to Jeremy Lin?

Kobe Bryant did not speak to Jeremy Lin for five months following their disagreement.

What was Kobe Bryant’s explanation for the silence?

Bryant explained that he wasn’t used to being challenged by a teammate.