VIDEO: Jerry West Discusses Dissuading Kobe Bryant From Playing for the Clippers Because of Donald Sterling
The Los Angeles Lakers had Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers postponed after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. The TNT crew decided to head to Staples Center and conduct a broadcast on the court in order to remember the great life and career of the Lakers legend. Another Lakers icon in Jerry West tearfully shared how he talked Bryant out of joining the Clippers back in 2004.
Jerry West talks about how close Kobe was to joining the Clippers.
— theScore (@theScore) January 29, 2020
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Bryant was disgruntled with the Lakers back in 2004 and was on the verge of leaving. But West shared the details of how he told Bryant he couldn't go play for then Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Ironically, West now works for the Clippers as an executive.
Jerry West told Kobe Bryant that he didn’t want him playing for Donald Sterling when Kobe told him he was going to sign with the Clippers.
— Christian Rivas (@RadRivas) January 29, 2020
Jerry wasn’t employed by the Lakers at the time, he just really cared about Kobe like a son. That’s incredible.
West explained at one point that he felt like a father to Bryant for several years. His conversation may have been what ultimately kept Bryant with the Lakers to continue what became a historic career all with the same team.
Later that offseason Shaquille O'Neal was dealt to the Miami Heat and Kobe re-signed with the Lakers the following day.
West and Bryant had an unbreakable bond, and the 81-year-old shared some revealing moments of their relationship in an emotional segment on Tuesday evening.