Michael Rapaport, who directed Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, recently spoke with Ball Over All in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn about how he feels Kobe Bryant compares to Chicago rapper Kanye West.
During the conversation, Rapaport cited the way that both Kanye West and Kobe Bryant share a love/hate vibe, and how the two icons are among some of the hardest working individuals in their respective lanes as reasons why he believes they are similar.
“Rapaport equates Kobe’s fandom to that of Kanye West, arguably the most polarizing figure in the music industry,” the article says. “Both Kobe and Kanye encompass a ‘love/hate’ vibe that he feels is a testament to how similar the two stars truly are.
“When it comes to hoops, there isn’t a harder worker in the game than Kobe,” the piece adds. “He is a ‘basketball nerd’ through and through as Rapaport describes, similar to the way Kanye allows himself to be engulfed by his music, fashion, or whatever venture he chooses to go into… Aside from their similar drive and work ethic, Rapaport also points to the way that the two are criticized and, to a degree, hated on. Kobe’s insistence on signing a max contract with the Lakers was one of the major takeaways from this past offseason with many claiming the Black Mamba was ‘holding the Lakers hostage’ with such a ridiculous contract.”
For additional Kanye West coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
I’d compare Kanye to Charles Barkley
I disagree. I actually enjoy the often absurd / often spot on comments that come out of Sir Charles’ mouth. The more Kanye talks, the more I dislike him.
This is such a stupid statement
“Kobe’s insistence on signing a max contract with the Lakers was one of the major takeaways from this past offseason with many claiming the Black Mamba was ‘holding the Lakers hostage’ with such a ridiculous contract.”
There’s not a shred of truth to that, everyone involved in negotiations from Lakers ownership and FO stated they offered Kobe the contract, there was little negotiation. There was no demand from him to get that, they offered him that for his past contributions + to show future FA that if you win as a Laker they will take care of you.
Yeah…like they took care of Shaq…
Kobe was all they could get. No one else wanted to come. Couldn’t have Kobe leaving too. You don’t get paid for your “past contributions” in sports unless you are Michael Jordan coming back from retirement in the 90s with the Bulls…pretty much the only player EVER and he was still winning titles when they paid him the $30 mil a year or whatever it was. Did you really expect the Lakers front office to come out and say Kobe “held them hostage” too?!?! LoL. The Lakers are PRAYING Kobe decides to hang it up in a year.