{"id":1442239,"date":"2021-11-15T14:10:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T19:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1442239"},"modified":"2023-05-15T15:19:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T19:19:48","slug":"kobe-bryant-refused-address-rumor-called-ray-allen-intimidate-preseason-game-dont-put-me-dude-same-breath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/kobe-bryant-refused-address-rumor-called-ray-allen-intimidate-preseason-game-dont-put-me-dude-same-breath\/","title":{"rendered":"Kobe Bryant Refused to Address a Rumor That He Called Ray Allen's Phone to Intimidate Him Before a Preseason Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kobe Bryant<\/a> and Ray Allen are two of the best shooting guards in NBA history. Bean and Jesus Shuttlesworth (a nickname that nearly belonged to Kobe<\/a>) squared off on numerous occasions. This includes when the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and Boston Celtics met in the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the brief rivalry between the two began years earlier and involved a prophecy, as well as an alleged voicemail before a preseason <\/em>game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Allen gave a prophecy for Kobe Bryant's future with the Lakers after a preseason game in 2004<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Kobe
NBA players Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen in 2006 | Lisa Blumenfeld\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers entered a new era before the 2004-05 season, one without star center Shaquille O'Neal. The Diesel wanted more money entering the final season of his Lakers contract<\/a>, and LA opted to invest money in Bryant as the undisputed face of the franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Allen expressed doubt regarding Bryant's ability to lead and incorporate his teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Bryant torched Allen's Seattle SuperSonics for 35 points in a preseason game, the most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history said Kobe would be too singular in his drive to prove something to basketball fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“[Kobe]'s going to be very selfish,” Allen said via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer<\/a>. “And he feels like he needs to show this league and the people in this country that he is better without Shaq. He can win championships without Shaq. So offensively, he's going to jump out and say, ‘I can average 30 points. I can still carry the load on this team.'”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allen went on, suggesting Bryant and the Lakers lacked the talent to contend for a championship before predicting Kobe would ultimately ask for a trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comments irked Kobe to the point he allegedly called Allen to leave an intimidating voicemail ahead of the next preseason game between the Lakers and Sonics. However, Bryant refused to invoke Ray's name or address the rumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryant reportedly left Allen an intimidating voicemail but refused to speak his name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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