The fadeaway jumper has been one of Kobe Bryant’s best weapons ever since he entered the NBA in 1996. Kobe mimicked childhood idol Michael Jordan with the move, and the resemblance between them is uncanny.
— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “Try Me” T-Shirts? —
Now that Kobe is the elder statesman in the NBA, many players grew up watching him, and trying to shoot fadeaway jumpers like he did. One of those players is Kobe’s teammate, Nick Young, who was put in an awkward position during a pre-draft workout with Michael Jordan watching according to the LA Daily News’ Mark Medina:
He asked me where I learned my fadeaway from,” Young recalled after working out for the former Charlotte Bobcats seven years ago. “Jordan was looking at me dead in my eyes. I was going to say Kobe Bryant, but I was forced to say Jordan at that moment because I wanted him to pick me.”
Young’s answer wasn’t enough to ensure his selection with Charlotte as the team selected Brandan Wright eighth overall with their pick. Young would fall all the way to 17th before being chosen by the Washington Wizards.
Young now gets to master his fadeaway jumper from his idol himself, as Kobe has really taken Young under his wing. Young has reaped the benefits, averaging just under 16 points on a career high 42.7 percent from three-point range.
[divide]Lakers Practice: Kobe Bryant’s Trash-Talking & Intensity