Former Los Angeles Laker Jodie Meeks is now in Detroit after signing a three-year, $19 million contract during the off-season. However, he recently spoke about Kobe Bryant and his time in Los Angeles.
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Speaking with Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press Sports, Meeks talks about Bryant’s work ethic and also calls him the second greatest shooting guard ever:
“I feel like I learned a lot from him as far as the mental aspect of the game. It’s encouraging to me because here’s probably the second greatest shooting guard ever (Michael Jordan No. 1) putting in this type of work, then I should be putting in work like that. I’m still trying to get to my peak and still trying to get to my prime, so I need to work just as hard or even harder to get there. He’s outworking everybody.”
Meeks last year as a Laker flourished with career-highs, and he intends to maintain the pattern in Detroit having learned from one of the best in the game:
“No matter if he was sick or hurt or injured, he never made excuses. He just kept working hard. He got better, and you see where he’s at.”
Although Bryant only played in six games this past season, he served as a mentor for many of the young players on the roster and Meeks reaped the benefits. While the Lakers suffered their worst season in franchise history, Meeks was one of the few bright spots and dramatically improved his game in route to a long-term deal with the Pistons.
Appearing in 77 games with the Lakers this past season, Meeks averaged 15.7 points while shooting 40.1 percent from three.
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