Bryant Bryant is one of the best players in league history, and while Bryant's performance on the court is top-notch, he's also one of the smartest players in league history, even often using psychological warfare on and off the court to "interfere" with opponents.
Recently, according to ESPN reporter Adrian Wernarowski, Kobe Bryant "provoked" the relationship between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who were still playing for the Thunder at the time, during the U.S. team:
"Kobe Bryant used psychological tactics on the U.S. team, and Kobe bryant would tell Westbrook why you kept KD winning the scoring championship, you should also win the scoring champion, he would let Westbrook understand this in his mind, which would make him go back to the Thunder and create friction."
It's clear that Bryant understands that a basketball game doesn't just need to be won on the court, it's also a tactical and psychological contest off the court. Even on the court, Bryant will do his best to have physical contact with his opponent or try to disturb his opponent's state of mind, whether through garbage talk or psychological warfare. Bryant is also the kind of person who is willing to do anything feasible to help the team win.
Although Bryant is a very great player, his psychological warfare against Westbrook is not a success, because even if Durant and Westbrook eventually break up and leave the Thunder, this is after Kobe Bryant retired, of course, in a way, this is Kobe Bryant's seed in Westbrook's heart to dominate the team. It's just ironic that Westbrook is currently playing for the Lakers and leaving this Lakers in complete trouble.