Chris Duhon shared an intriguing story about his time playing alongside Kobe Bryant on the “KarterKast” podcast, revealing a never-before-heard tale about a $5,000 bet between the two. Duhon recounted how, after seeing LeBron James record another triple-double, he jokingly teased Kobe, saying he couldn’t get one because he didn’t pass the ball enough. Kobe, with his trademark confidence, responded by challenging Duhon to a bet: he would get a triple-double in the next game. True to form, Kobe nearly achieved it by halftime, finishing the game with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in a win over the Dallas Mavericks on April 2, 2013.
Duhon added that after the game, Kobe told him, “If I wanted to, I can get a triple-double every game.” Bryant explained that while he could focus on getting assists and rebounds, his team needed him to score, and his goal was to dominate opponents by breaking their spirits with his offensive prowess. This story encapsulated Kobe’s Mamba Mentality—his unyielding focus on excellence and his belief that he could always compete at the highest level.
That season, Kobe Bryant finished with two triple-doubles, while LeBron James, who went on to win MVP, had four. Despite their differences in style and approach, both players’ fierce competitiveness and determination to be the best were clear.
