"He'd always ask me for a beer" - Ex-Laker Robert Sacre says Kobe Bryant regularly drank inside the team bus
Unlike other famous NBA superstars, the late great Kobe Bryant was never known for partying and drinking. However, that didn't mean that the Los Angeles Lakers legend didn't have a playful side off the court.
According to former Lakers big man Robert Sacre, he had his fair share of unforgettable moments with Bryant, especially during the team's long bus rides to games. Sacre revealed that the five-time NBA champion knew he always brought booze inside the bus and regularly asked for some while on the road.
"I always had a six-pack in my backpack. On the bus, he'd always ask me for a beer. I had to do Coors Light most times. If I could get the Bud heavy, I'd be on it. He’d be like, 'Hey Sac, I know you got one.' I'd throw him a beer once in a while," the former Lakers journeyman told Hoopshype in 2021.
Kobe never lost his focus
Sacre's story may have left some Bryant fans speechless, as "Black Mamba" always conducted himself as a superstar athlete who took extreme care of his body. Apparently, Kobe knew what he was doing regardless of whether he indulged in drinking alcohol during team bus rides.
The entire Lakers squad might have seen Bryant chug a beer or two on the road but they never worried as they knew he would play his guts out as soon as the game started. In fact, former Laker John Salley was once dumbfounded by how Kobe managed to stay laser-focused on his job even if he was out partying.
"As the crowd dwindles down, he goes like this, and I come over. He says, 'I'm ready to leave.' I said, 'Damn, you pulled one that quick?' And he's like, 'No, I got to train in the morning.' I said, 'Kobe, we're in Miami, bro.' He goes, 'Yeah, I got to train at 6:00, though. My trainer came in, so I need to get back to the hotel,'" Salley once recalled.
Kobe is the epitome of discipline and balanced lifestyle
While Kobe was known for his relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence, it's quite fascinating to know that a more relatable aspect of his character existed.
In conclusion, Sacre and Salley's accounts may only be glimpses of what "Vino" truly was in his downtime but it speaks volumes about how he was able to remarkably balance his intense dedication to the game along with moments of lightheartedness with his teammates and friends.
