Julius Randle’s experience playing with the late Kobe Bryant in Lakers is worth reliving.
“I hear hiss…” Julius Randle recalls WILD moment when Kobe Bryant turned into ‘Black Mamba’ on court

Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle

The former Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony and current Knicks player Julius Randle sat together for the ‘7PM in Brooklyn’ podcast. They discussed some wild Kobe Bryant stories from Randle’s days with the Lakers.

Randle also shared about the bond he had with Bryant and how much the late NBA icon gave to the game of Basketball. He recalled a story when he was bringing the ball up to the court and he heard snake noises, which was eventually Bryant himself making the noises.

I'm like what the f***, f*** is this Bro, in this loud a** arena I heard this hiss!

Julius Randle said via ‘7PM in Brooklyn’ podcast

Randle later said that it meant Bryant wanted the ball. He then understood how the Lakers legend used to operate the ball on the court. Randle got to know how much the Black Mamba nickname meant to Bryant and how he really dived into the character and the game of basketball.

It let you know how he was mentally, bro he really dived into the character of the Black Mamba when he was out there on the court.

Julius Randle said talking to Carmelo Anthony

It is well-known and worth noting that, Bryant always gave his all when he was out there on the court.

Kobe Bryant encouraged Julius Randle to stand up to Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was one of the meanest and most vicious trash talkers that ever played in the NBA. He had no filter and nobody was safe from his verbal assault. He bullied and trash-talked almost every rookie on the court. Kobe Bryant, notably, was also from the same breed of trash talkers and bullies as Garnett.

During Randle’s second year as a forward for the Lakers. He had a clash with Garnett’s Timberwolves in the season opener. Garnett was already established in the league as a pre-eminent trash talker. In a heated exchange between Garnett and Randle, the youngster came out on top.

He acted like Julius Randle.

Kobe Bryant said when asked about Randle’s encounter with ‘KG’

After the game, Bryant addressed the situation, and praised his teammate for acting like a ‘grown a** man’. This shows how the late superstar encouraged and supported his teammates both on and off the court.