Aside from being one of the greatest players in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry West was also a star executive for the franchise.

While serving as general manager for the Lakers, West laid the foundation for a dynasty when he hired Phil Jackson as the team’s head coach, signed center Shaquille O’Neal, and traded center Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant on draft night.

In an interview for an ESPN tribute to Bryant, who passed away in a tragic helicopter crash last year, West talked about how he saw the five-time champion’s greatness even as a teenager out of Lower Merion High School. While Kobe was aware of the history of the game and respected the game’s greatest players, West revealed that he also engaged Bryant in some trash talk, including about his nickname, The Black Mamba.

Check it out:

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Rui Hachimura looking serious. Shannon Sharpe smiling with packed crowd in the background

Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz ·

LeBron James with hands on hips, and a speech bubble that says "It makes no sense." Next to him is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shooting a 3-pointer and Lakers coach Darvin Ham's face centered.

Matt Guzman ·

jokic nuggets lebron lakers

Michael Corvo ·

West recalls that after the 18-time All Star named himself The Black Mamba, he asked him if he was aware of the mongoose and how they are able to easily kill the venomous snake after which he named himself. Bryant, never one to back down, answered that he is no ordinary black mamba, with West answering right back that he is no ordinary mongoose either.

But more than his playful banter with Bryant, West turned emotional when asked how he’ll remember the two-time Finals MVP, saying that he “loved him like a son and admired his talent,” and added that his untimely passing “took its toll on a lot of people, especially those who cared for him.”