- Stephen A. Smith shared a powerful and unforgettable story about a time he was put in his place by the late Kobe Bryant.
- After Smith critiqued his outfit, Bryant savagely retorted by reminding the analyst of his two GQ magazine covers, leaving Smith “dead to rights.”
- The memorable exchange permanently influenced Smith’s own approach to fashion and style.
- Bryant later hilariously dismissed Smith’s own GQ feature, proving his competitive “Mamba Mentality” extended far beyond the basketball court.
A Lesson in Style from the Black Mamba
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith recently shared a vivid memory of the late, great Kobe Bryant, revealing a conversation that not only humbled him but also reshaped his perspective on style. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Smith recounted an interaction where a lighthearted fashion critique earned him a legendary comeback from the Black Mamba himself.
The story began when Smith, early in his career, decided to poke fun at an outfit Bryant was wearing. “I got on him one day about how he was rocking this outfit,” Smith recalled. “And I’m like, ‘Eh, I don’t know.’”
Bryant, however, was not about to let the comment slide.
The Unforgettable Comeback
In a moment that has stuck with Smith for years, Bryant immediately put the analyst in his place with a sharp, unfiltered retort. “He looked at me and grabbed my arm,” Smith remembered. Bryant’s next words were iconic: “’Motherf—–. I’m the only athlete that’s been on the cover of GQ twice.’ Just like that. And [Bryant] said, ‘Take notes.’”
The takedown was so effective that Smith had no response. “He had me dead to rights,” the ESPN host admitted. “I said, ‘Ooh.’ And sure enough, every time GQ or some fashion magazine has called me, the first person that comes to my mind is Kobe.”
The Follow-Up Call
The story didn’t end there. Years later, when Smith finally earned a feature in GQ himself, the first person he called to share the news was Bryant. Kobe’s competitive spirit was on full display in his reaction.
“And when that happened, [Bryant] said, ‘Are you on the cover?’ And I said, ‘No,’” Smith recounted.
Bryant’s simple, cutting reply was, “’Then we have nothing to talk about.’”
A Lasting Legacy of Excellence
The anecdote serves as a classic example of the “Mamba Mentality” that defined Kobe Bryant, who tragically passed away in 2020. His relentless drive for excellence wasn’t confined to the basketball court; it was a part of every aspect of his life, from fatherhood to fashion.
For Smith, that brief but powerful exchange became a lasting lesson. “I’m always thinking about what Kobe said to me,” he shared, noting that the memory continues to influence his style choices to this day. The story emerged while Smith was discussing his new partnership with Lids for the brand’s “ALL CAPS” holiday campaign, a collaboration that celebrates his own outspoken personality—a personality that once dared to question a style icon and learned a lesson he’ll never forget.
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