Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson speaks during a ceremony for the unveiling of a statue for Kobe Bryant at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena. Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Jackson's 'proudest' Kobe Bryant moment might surprise you

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/8/24

Phil Jackson coached Kobe Bryant for 11 seasons, winning five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, throughout their time together, his proudest moment of the late Hall of Famer came off the court.

During Thursday's unveiling of a statue honoring the Laker great outside Crypto.com Arena, Jackson revisited the time Bryant snapped at "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, who was picking on teammate and reserve Adam Morrison following the 2010 NBA Finals. When Leno questioned Morrison's role or lack thereof, Bryant was unamused, responding, "He may not get to dress, but he puts in the work, and he's part of our team."

"And then I knew, that's when I was proudest of Kobe," Jackson said.

FULL SPEECH: Phil Jackson speaks at the Kobe Bryant statue unveiling pic.twitter.com/F9LEftuNh1
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024

The event featured countless Lakers legends and former teammates of Bryant. Along with Jackson, Jeanie Buss, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher and Stu Lantz also spoke.

The statue unveiled Thursday is one of three presented outside Crypto.com Arena. The first shows Bryant donning No. 8. A second statue will feature Bryant in No. 24, while the third will include him and his daughter Gianna.

The date of the first event, Feb. 8, 2024, was no accident, incorporating the numbers Bryant wore with the Lakers, No. 8 and No. 24, along with No. 2, worn by Gianna.

Before the reveal, Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, shared with those in attendance one of the Laker greats favorite quotes.

"'Leave the game better than you found it, and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend,'" she said. "And that he did."