During the 1999-2000 season, Kobe Bryant was already on his way to becoming a bona fide superstar in the NBA. Having already earned All-Star and All-NBA Team honors at age 21, the 6’6″ wingman had become an immensely popular figure in the league. However, he had yet to develop his famed “Mamba Mentality.”
However, traces of it were already evident in his mindset. His former teammate John Salley remembered how Bryant showed it when he invited him for a night out in Miami.
Miami was the place to be when it came to partying
NBA teams often circle the date on the calendar whenever they face the Miami Heat. The nightlife and party scene in South Beach is simply unparalleled, making it a preferred destination for many NBA players. During one visit to Miami, Salley saw it fit to organize a night out for the Lakers and invited Kobe, who usually didn’t partake in team outings.
“When I was on the squad, he didn’t hang out. Listen, he’s about to turn 21 in 2000, and we’re playing against Miami, who was horrible, and we’re the Lakers. We’ve already won 17 games in a row. I used to play in Miami, and we don’t have to play them until the next night. So, you know, I arranged a get-together, a gathering,” Salley shared .