Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Kobe Bryant Calls Jimmy Butler’s Infamous Practice ‘Regular’ For Him And Lakers
Lakers News

Kobe Bryant Calls Jimmy Butler’s Infamous Practice ‘Regular’ For Him And Lakers

Dan Duangdao
Published: 12/15/2018
3 Min Read
Andrew D. Bernstein-NBAE/Getty Images
SHARE

During his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant was extremely competitive in practices, knowing how it would translate into games. As Bryant pushed his teammates in practice, the regular season and playoffs became much easier for them.

With the 2018-19 NBA season already a quarter in, one of the major storylines was Jimmy Butler requesting a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. When they did not immediately trade him, Butler showed up to practice where he challenged Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins while dominating them in a scrimmage third-string players as his teammates.

For Bryant, he viewed Butler’s infamous practice and rant as just another day for him during his time with the Lakers, via “The Corp Podcast” by Barstool Sports:

“I think most of my teams would just call it a Monday. They’d just call it a Monday. It’s just a regular practice. … Listen, practices are meant to be competitive. They’re meant to be competitive. If your practices aren’t more competitive than the games themselves, you’re doing the wrong thing. And most of these teams and coaches have gotten into a mindset of resting players. ‘Oh, it’s too much. We’re not gonna practice. Light day, light day, light day.’ Phil never gave us a light day. There’s no days off. You show up and you work. And practices are going to be worse. They’re going to be more physical. There’s going to be more trash talking, and I’m going to let you know. If you didn’t show up today, I’m gonna let you know. It’s gonna be embarrassing, and you’re gonna hate it. But when Game 7 rolls around in the NBA Finals, you will be prepared.”

Bryant’s competitiveness even during practices and the stories that come from them adds to his future Hall of Fame career. While some players could not handle that approach, there is no denying the five championships in seven NBA Finals appearances.

In a time when players are resting any chance they get, Butler’s actions have been up for debate, but it was regular for Bryant and the Lakers.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Jimmy ButlerKobe BryantLos Angeles LakersMinnesota Timberwolves
ByDan Duangdao
Follow:
Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?