My Phone Call With Kobe Bryant | Bill Simmons’s Book of Basketball 2.0 | The Ringer

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  • čas přidán 7. 02. 2020
  • In December 2012, Kobe Bryant wasn’t even halfway through his last elite Lakers season, but he was putting more thought into the bigger picture than ever before. What was leadership all about, anyway? How could he use social media to advance his message? Would he rather be remembered as a winner or a great teammate? And what made him want to pick up the phone and call Bill Simmons out of the blue?
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Komentáře • 442

  • @ThaninViriyaki
    @ThaninViriyaki Před 4 lety +974

    This is Bill at his best and why he's a legend in sports journalism.

    • @indigo7454
      @indigo7454 Před 4 lety +11

      Stop hating dawg

    • @michaeldiaz9260
      @michaeldiaz9260 Před 4 lety +7

      The man got the can from ESPN for being an incompetent homer. Now he is relegated to obscurity on you tube.
      Bill Simmons is not a legend, or much of a journalist? You must not read at ALL if your making a statement like that!!

    • @WinstonTheFrog
      @WinstonTheFrog Před 4 lety +31

      @@michaeldiaz9260 well the Ringer did just crack that exclusive podcast deal with Spotify, so who knows what the future holds for Bill Simmons.

    • @kw882
      @kw882 Před 4 lety

      🤣🤣🤣

    • @TheJC0203
      @TheJC0203 Před 4 lety +16

      Michael Diaz he created 30-30 so he kinda is dumbass

  • @XxSwaggaJacksonxX
    @XxSwaggaJacksonxX Před 4 lety +90

    "I will next time, I told him"
    Man, that is fucking brutal

  • @prestonphelan9882
    @prestonphelan9882 Před 4 lety +309

    "I will next time"
    Oof

    • @underthetrees4780
      @underthetrees4780 Před 4 lety +41

      Fucking tragic line, just brutal, but shows Bill has still got it.

    • @robertpadillosandiego2821
      @robertpadillosandiego2821 Před 4 lety +18

      That fucking line, and it ends the podcast, just hits you in the gut

    • @customerguy8581
      @customerguy8581 Před 4 lety +13

      Now I'm fucking crying again. At least it's not full-on sobbing anymore like it was the day after it happened. I swear I've cried more over Kobe in the past week than I'd cried in the past decade. What a fucking legend. Even "Mr. Celtic" Bill Simmons had to pay homage to the greatest Laker ever.

    • @kengozin
      @kengozin Před 4 lety +1

      Like a kick in the nutters

    • @datguitarplayer1656
      @datguitarplayer1656 Před 4 lety +9

      So so so good. Man, what a line. And, he believed in his audience and he believed in the strength of that line so much that he didn't end it with, "but there would be no next time", or, "next time never came". So good.

  • @vuk911
    @vuk911 Před 4 lety +298

    Such a positive video, but then it ends with "I will next time, I told him". Wow.

    • @vatsan2483
      @vatsan2483 Před 3 lety +2

      Damnn that next time never came...
      😭😭😭
      We miss you mamba..
      "Plays: see you again"
      It's been a long time without you my friend and I will tell you all about it when we meet again

  • @jacksiwel84
    @jacksiwel84 Před 4 lety +454

    Write more, Bill.

    • @TheLastWalenta
      @TheLastWalenta Před 4 lety

      What do you think this is?

    • @jacksiwel84
      @jacksiwel84 Před 4 lety +21

      @@TheLastWalenta. Well, that was me saying that he did real well writing this and i miss getting to read him.

    • @TheLastWalenta
      @TheLastWalenta Před 4 lety +1

      @@jacksiwel84 I also wish he'd post more of these.

    • @discowolf25
      @discowolf25 Před 4 lety

      Agreed✊

  • @NewGoldie
    @NewGoldie Před 3 lety +129

    I've listened this at least 4 times and still get chills at the end.

  • @marcnelson3485
    @marcnelson3485 Před 4 lety +299

    For Christ's sake, honey I'm talking to Kobe!

  • @armin38822
    @armin38822 Před 4 lety +238

    I always find it weird when Bill talks about Kobe. But this one was special.

    • @kw882
      @kw882 Před 4 lety +11

      I always find Bill's voice weird

    • @theOnyFUFU
      @theOnyFUFU Před 4 lety +6

      Did you watch his interview with Kobe on Grantland Basketball hour? It was like watching a Celtics fan boy talk shit to a Laker legend (which Bill has done with Magic as well on ESPN). I loved it as a Celtics fan but it must've been weird to watch as Laker/Kobe fan!

    • @armin38822
      @armin38822 Před 4 lety +1

      @@theOnyFUFU I thought he was not himself on that show with Kobe.

    • @theOnyFUFU
      @theOnyFUFU Před 4 lety +7

      @@armin38822 I agree. He was trying to balance being a Kobe hater with being a journalist lol

    • @winstonsmith11
      @winstonsmith11 Před 4 lety +8

      @@theOnyFUFU As a Laker/Kobe fan, I can assure you that Bill is consistently difficult to listen to when speaking on the topic Kobe Bryant. Even in this video. Always. I don't actually like him very much because of it, tbh. He's an ok gut, I guess. But, I'm not a fan of his point of view.

  • @MLNYD
    @MLNYD Před 4 lety +181

    21:37 - That last exchange really struck a chord, Bill. Thanks for sharing this small but beautiful piece of Kobe with us.

  • @JD-ny3vz
    @JD-ny3vz Před 4 lety +174

    It's nice to see some of Kobes former haters coming around to what made us Kobe fans love him from the start. That's the one good thing about a tragedy like this it can really bring people together.

    • @fridayvan-defoe6987
      @fridayvan-defoe6987 Před 4 lety +10

      Speaking as a hater, I think everybody admired Kobe. it was just that he ripped out our hearts one too many times.... Spurs, Kings, Celtics

    • @agilana4684
      @agilana4684 Před 2 lety +5

      @@fridayvan-defoe6987 Suns too

  • @jonloc8535
    @jonloc8535 Před 4 lety +67

    Bill is a phenomenal storyteller

    • @yowhatsmyname
      @yowhatsmyname Před 4 lety +1

      Kobe is a phenomenal topic #70

    • @kw882
      @kw882 Před 4 lety +4

      He's got a goofy voice though

  • @aarond7245
    @aarond7245 Před 4 lety +31

    jesus, when bill said that his wife was yelling at him because they were late to the christmas party, meanwhile Bill is on the phone with Kobe Bean... its like a scene from a movie

  • @ThatCoCoa
    @ThatCoCoa Před 4 lety +68

    There’s a reason why Bill Simmons has reached the levels he’s reached. He’s a brilliant writer and craftsman.

    • @michaeldiaz9260
      @michaeldiaz9260 Před 4 lety +1

      The man got the can from ESPN for being an incompetent homer. Now he is relegated to obscurity on you tube.
      Bill Simmons is not a brilliant writer, or craftsman? You must not read any books at ALL if your making a statement like that!!

    • @ThatCoCoa
      @ThatCoCoa Před 4 lety +16

      Michael Diaz He got the can because he didn’t play corporate politics, and instead diverted his focus to his own company, The Ringer (you know, the channel you’re currently on seeking attention), which was recently sold to Spotify for a reported $200 million. He has continued talks with ESPN to do more work. Clearly, YOU don’t read.

    • @homiz96
      @homiz96 Před 4 lety +9

      Michael Diaz this man literally copied and pasted his terrible comment multiple times on this video that is sad bro

    • @travisrowe7697
      @travisrowe7697 Před 4 lety +3

      Michael Diaz you just copy n paste this same reply everywhere. Simmons has his plus and minuses but is great at this form.

    • @pfunk42
      @pfunk42 Před 4 lety +2

      @ ThatCoCoa....no, it's just the country is full of idiots like you that lack critical thinking skills. It's called the "dumbing down" of America

  • @lawrencecgn3763
    @lawrencecgn3763 Před 4 lety +85

    Possibly the greatest piece by Bill for years. Thank you for that.

    • @pitakon
      @pitakon Před 4 lety

      The dog piece is still the best

    • @kunalpatel1147
      @kunalpatel1147 Před 4 lety

      Kent Jousel Austria send the link to the dog piece

  • @mikesmith5355
    @mikesmith5355 Před 4 lety +88

    I always remember when Kobe said after the 2008 finals when they lost to Boston.He said WE got punked by them meaning the Celtics and it’s never happening again and Guess what it did not happen they won two championships in a row and beat Boston in 7 games and Gasol was a beast against Boston the 2nd time around.

    • @Sbock86
      @Sbock86 Před 4 lety +6

      Unfortunately KG was playing on one leg

    • @Stonecoldalston
      @Stonecoldalston Před 4 lety +3

      S Irwin KG was not playing on One Leg in 2010

    • @Sbock86
      @Sbock86 Před 4 lety +6

      @@Stonecoldalston figure of speech. He came back from an ACL that season. It always takes players a year to get back to themselves..or in some cases they never do. I actually think in KG's case He was never the same player after that injury in 2009

  • @joelanthonyalvarado6947
    @joelanthonyalvarado6947 Před 4 lety +86

    I wish bill didn’t go the Christmas party so we got have got more. I miss Kobe. 💛💜💛💜

  • @Oldskoolbball
    @Oldskoolbball Před 4 lety +76

    Kobe Bryant, who was the most enigmatic superstar in the NBA.

    • @drevm7991
      @drevm7991 Před 3 lety +2

      Only to people who didn’t pay attention in my opinion. I rarely hear things about Kobe that surprise me in any way. Bill was shocked to hear that Kobe and Jordan had a relationship, I’ve heard Kobe day he calls Jordan multiple times. I’ve heard hundreds of post game Kobe interviews, all his documentary/long form stuff, etc. I don’t find him too enigmatic, though I do find him to be a genius and a complete badass.

  • @KB-313
    @KB-313 Před 4 lety +24

    Damn, I'm almost mad at how he ended the video. Made me sad again.

  • @0mgnz0
    @0mgnz0 Před 4 lety +12

    Kobe would’ve loved this piece, Bill. Great story, great insights.

  • @nf2203
    @nf2203 Před 4 lety +72

    This is a wonderful tribute by Bill and one of the most powerful ending to a podcast I've heard in a while.

  • @rsdhillon4198
    @rsdhillon4198 Před 4 lety +19

    "he left his gold medal danglin' in Gasol's locker"

  • @siddarthatummala4321
    @siddarthatummala4321 Před 4 lety +12

    Kobe’s view of the Thunder was pretty spot-on, you have to admit

  • @gamingwithcorp3889
    @gamingwithcorp3889 Před 4 lety +11

    Michael Jordan said it best..."I'm gonna ridicule you until you get on the same level with me." Can't blame Kobe, he's teammates at the time didn't have the same mentality and winning mindset. RIP one of the greatest of all time.

  • @D1n0nlyD1v94
    @D1n0nlyD1v94 Před 4 lety +9

    He didn't want to become a great. He knew he was a great.

  • @CBUS75
    @CBUS75 Před 4 lety +7

    The last line of this essay really gave me chills...

  • @brandonreed3670
    @brandonreed3670 Před 4 lety +135

    Bill was a bit disingenuous regarding Kobe's "Big boy pants" comments directed at Gasol. He said that because Pau was complaining about his role in D'Antoni's system, not because Pau wasn't playing well in the midst of injuries.

    • @thsu8
      @thsu8 Před 4 lety +33

      Bill was always disingenuous about Kobe.

    • @TituzzzD
      @TituzzzD Před 4 lety +7

      @@thsu8 Seems like Kobe didn't feel that way.

    • @kobe42beast
      @kobe42beast Před 4 lety +3

      Definitely. I just came back from video of that interview

    • @kobe42beast
      @kobe42beast Před 4 lety +10

      And even that wasn't malicious. That was obviously appropriate in the confines of his relationship with Pau. They had won championships together and Pau continues to refer to Kobe as "big brother"

    • @brandonreed3670
      @brandonreed3670 Před 4 lety +7

      @@kobe42beast Yeah I had to double check because I remember the comment, but I didn't think it was referring to Pau's injury. Kobe wouldn't just throw Pau under the bus like that over an injury. He was really just saying that Pau had to adapt to Mike's system, even if he didn't like it.

  • @TannerLikesStuff
    @TannerLikesStuff Před 4 lety +10

    This was special. Bill's writing is on another level.

  • @dceptcon
    @dceptcon Před 4 lety +21

    This made me start crying again. Very poignant. RIP to a legend and a legit superhero. Legends never die!

  • @var1ables854
    @var1ables854 Před 4 lety +7

    That last line made me tear up man. WHy you do this to me bill simmons.

  • @RickHuangUSC
    @RickHuangUSC Před 4 lety +8

    Thank you Bill Simmons. Thank you for sharing your Kobe memory and making me cry on a Sunday evening 😭

  • @shawnmoney8055
    @shawnmoney8055 Před 4 lety +46

    Just turned into an Bill Simmons fan last year, all the podcasts are great definitely the rewatchables, that’s probably my favorite.

    • @thezdbailey
      @thezdbailey Před 4 lety +1

      Welcome aboard.

    • @L.S.B_
      @L.S.B_ Před 4 lety

      shawn Money he's the best

    • @SpencerCornelia
      @SpencerCornelia Před 4 lety +1

      his podcasts are great. He was such an excellent writer as well which is how most of his audience began following him. A lot of his writing was like this video. This video was excellent.

  • @seanelgie
    @seanelgie Před 3 lety +2

    Those 2 free throws almost make you tear up man. The epitome of Leadership.

  • @goskateminnesota7256
    @goskateminnesota7256 Před 4 lety +12

    This was written great. Thanks for the awesome story. Mamba is one of the GOATs on the court, but Bill Simmons is one of the GOATs as a reporter. Great work, Bill.

  • @rickyrichreacts9667
    @rickyrichreacts9667 Před 4 lety +17

    *THANK YOU FOR THIS, BILL. As a Lakers fan I really appreciate this video.*

  • @Artzera824
    @Artzera824 Před 4 měsíci +1

    The last sentence broke me

  • @felixsanchez4824
    @felixsanchez4824 Před 4 lety +1

    Being a Laker fan all my life we are used to Greatness, sorry but true! For years i just enjoyed Kobe especially the Shaq N Kobe years but i never truly worshiped Kobe all that much. Since his passing it's been really tough, I feel like i lost a brother, I been obsessed with anything to do with Kobe, I guess I'm not alone, even Mr Celtic seemed to have a change of heart, Great piece by Simmons, one of many but so much better because it's about The Mamba #24 RIP

  • @Btn1136
    @Btn1136 Před 4 lety +8

    “It’s just as easy to remember Kobe’s unhappy Lakers teams as his happy ones”- preach.

  • @DrSJH159
    @DrSJH159 Před 4 lety

    brilliant piece

  • @NetanelColish
    @NetanelColish Před 2 lety +1

    RIP Kobe

  • @thesoundofmo
    @thesoundofmo Před 4 lety

    Great piece Bill!!

  • @stevesung573
    @stevesung573 Před 4 lety

    Beautifully done.

  • @devonlamb3
    @devonlamb3 Před 4 lety +1

    This was awesome.

  • @mr.ablang7097
    @mr.ablang7097 Před 4 lety +3

    Love this!

  • @sovREVERE
    @sovREVERE Před 4 lety

    Man this was awesome

  • @jonnyarnett
    @jonnyarnett Před 4 lety +13

    Excellent, excellent piece, Bill. Thank you for this. Leadership isn’t talked about enough

    • @user-kx5pd4jo3t
      @user-kx5pd4jo3t Před 4 lety +2

      Jonny Arnett -NBA CZcamsr I see you on a lot of basketball videos. And I just realized you’re an nba youtuber lol 😂😂. Your videos look good man I might check em out after I watch this.

    • @jonnyarnett
      @jonnyarnett Před 4 lety +2

      Iso Productions Thanks man! Please do! And yeah, I watch too much CZcams. I’m always commenting 😂

    • @user-kx5pd4jo3t
      @user-kx5pd4jo3t Před 4 lety +1

      Jonny Arnett -NBA CZcamsr yeah man your videos are fire. I make videos too. Check em out. If you tryna collaborate I’m definitely down.

  • @zacharychristman9538
    @zacharychristman9538 Před 4 lety +1

    That was an incredible piece

  • @veneracci5556
    @veneracci5556 Před 4 lety

    This is amazing.

  • @mikefrizzy
    @mikefrizzy Před 4 lety +2

    Great work Bill 👍🏻

  • @Ranger6483
    @Ranger6483 Před 4 lety +4

    This was lovely ❤️

  • @gangstamoogle21
    @gangstamoogle21 Před 4 lety

    What a fantastic piece. Loved it.

  • @dannypak
    @dannypak Před 4 lety

    This was awesome

  • @vatsan2483
    @vatsan2483 Před 3 lety +1

    And the saddest part is after that soccer meet the next time they "never" met!!! 😭😭😭
    RIP MAMBA!! U still love in our hearts

  • @steelberg23
    @steelberg23 Před 4 lety

    Beautiful.

  • @albertosbabo8182
    @albertosbabo8182 Před 4 lety

    This is a phenomenal piece. Phenomenal.

  • @becameabird
    @becameabird Před 4 lety

    Great, great piece Bill. Fantastic.

  • @vedantabagchi1269
    @vedantabagchi1269 Před 4 lety +1

    This is beautiful

  • @aduncaroo
    @aduncaroo Před 4 lety

    This was a great piece. RIP Kobe

  • @NomadicAstro
    @NomadicAstro Před 4 lety +22

    Best piece in a F Ng long time! Reminds me of BS report in the early days. Good work. Love it!

  • @eastnjman368
    @eastnjman368 Před 4 lety +1

    That was awesome 😭

  • @GeloSantos
    @GeloSantos Před 4 lety +7

    Such a great piece. Thanks, Bill.
    RIP Kobe

  • @pitpride1220
    @pitpride1220 Před 4 lety

    Master class on leadership!

  • @chrishouston4574
    @chrishouston4574 Před 4 lety

    Wonderful piece.

  • @jvincc7297
    @jvincc7297 Před 4 lety

    This is perfection.

  • @sublime90
    @sublime90 Před 4 lety +11

    This was great. thanks for sharing mr. celtic

  • @mcgerk
    @mcgerk Před 4 lety

    Incredible piece 💜💛💔

  • @NateMaw76
    @NateMaw76 Před 4 lety +5

    Man the ending got me! Well said Bill!

  • @stallionplayer08
    @stallionplayer08 Před 4 lety +1

    Tears.

  • @kh82685
    @kh82685 Před 3 lety

    That was amazing. Very well done.

  • @StephenBeale
    @StephenBeale Před 4 lety +1

    Beautiful all round. RIP Kobe!

  • @byronquezada2063
    @byronquezada2063 Před 4 lety +1

    Damn this dude brought the tear jerker right at the end

  • @enriquerodriguez7732
    @enriquerodriguez7732 Před 4 lety +19

    Love this, thank you.

  • @coreyds
    @coreyds Před 4 lety

    Thanks for sharing Bill, much appreciated.

  • @MS-rj8dp
    @MS-rj8dp Před 4 lety

    Beautiful Tribute 😢

  • @hoopbeast7187
    @hoopbeast7187 Před 4 lety

    The ending was brilliant!

  • @jorgfuchs6853
    @jorgfuchs6853 Před 4 lety

    Wonderful - thx for the story, Bill

  • @THEDECYPEL
    @THEDECYPEL Před 4 lety

    Man this was great!!!!!!

  • @stevechippendale8873
    @stevechippendale8873 Před 28 dny

    The last line hits you in the gut. It’s like his great article about the passing of the family dog.

  • @luketerry2006
    @luketerry2006 Před 4 lety

    Great tribute

  • @shmucc
    @shmucc Před 4 lety

    Make more like this. Amazing

  • @Silver104
    @Silver104 Před 3 lety +1

    This was incredibly beautiful

  • @b.cooper8719
    @b.cooper8719 Před 4 lety

    Excellent piece. Last line got me Bill. Damn.

  • @golfdan584
    @golfdan584 Před 4 lety

    What an awesome story and put together so well! KOBE!

  • @andirothe
    @andirothe Před 4 lety

    Great Story Telling... 👍🏼

  • @fireanddesire2747
    @fireanddesire2747 Před 4 lety

    Thanks Bill.

  • @malikharris5785
    @malikharris5785 Před 3 lety

    Yo this was an amazing piece

  • @SuperBayboy925
    @SuperBayboy925 Před 4 lety +1

    I love you so much Kobe RIP so much

  • @Hawkgoulet
    @Hawkgoulet Před 3 lety

    Deserves more views. Love your writing style, Bill.

  • @cartergadola163
    @cartergadola163 Před 4 lety

    This was excellent.

  • @Makkvent96
    @Makkvent96 Před 4 lety +2

    One of those videos you wish could go on and on. Incredible.

  • @themarcbon
    @themarcbon Před 4 lety +4

    This is some of your best work, Celtic!

  • @nicholasaleman8188
    @nicholasaleman8188 Před 4 lety +1

    Cried while watching this, Bill's writing is so amazing I know it has inspired a generation of writers! Please write more!!!!!

  • @KingFalsettoMusic
    @KingFalsettoMusic Před 4 lety +2

    Bill..this piece is genius.

  • @BuellerTELEVISION
    @BuellerTELEVISION Před 4 lety

    Great Work Here

  • @solliskuxxswag
    @solliskuxxswag Před 2 lety

    Heart-warming and inspiration story

  • @jackjr2673
    @jackjr2673 Před rokem +1

    Your an amazing storyteller

  • @UtotheJ
    @UtotheJ Před 4 lety +3

    Been following Bill for about 15 years... this is the beautiful story-telling that got me hooked to his columns! He’s gotten so busy with so many podcasts across so many realms, I really miss this

  • @sunriseeternity300
    @sunriseeternity300 Před 4 lety

    Great stuff

  • @mannyboy922010
    @mannyboy922010 Před rokem +1

    A good friend of my passed away a few months ago. Would've have been 30 a few weeks back. A few days before he died, I sent him a text saying we should go hoop. He said he couldn't but we should plan something in the future. Now I go back and listen to Bill's last line of this video. It stung then, but it has a whole different feeling for me now.

  • @secretidenity8028
    @secretidenity8028 Před 4 lety

    Bill just gave us a masterpiece

  • @DirectoenLavapies
    @DirectoenLavapies Před 4 lety

    Amazing stuff..