Jay Williams shares story that perfect illustrates Kobe Bryant’s work ethic

Jay Williams, the 35-year-old ESPN commentator, has turned into one of the best basketball analysts out there. At one time, he was viewed as an heir apparent to the greats. Williams was the No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft.

Though his playing career ended abruptly after a motorcycle accident in 2003, Williams has a tremendous redemption story. And, to be sure, he left the NBA with plenty of stories from his brief stint in the league.

Williams shared one of those stories – a message to Kobe Bryant – on his Twitter Saturday.

Dear @kobebryant

Thank you for a life lesson that I will never forget. It's a difference maker that I had to share. pic.twitter.com/0urydB52kI

— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) August 5, 2017

Williams arrived for the Bulls’ game at the Staples Center well before tip to “make sure I get 400 made shots.” Kobe was already there, putting in hard work.

“It’s not like his moves are nonchalant, he’s doing, like, game moves,” Williams said. “I sit there, I unlace my shoes, I go ‘want to see how long this goes.’ I sit there and watch, it goes another 25 minutes and he got done.”

The best part of this story, however, unfolds after the game – after Kobe had dropped 40.

“So I ask, ‘Hey Kobe, why were you at the gym for so long?’” Williams said. “He’s like ‘because I saw you come in. And I wanted you to know it doesn’t matter how hard you work, that I’m willing to work harder than you.’”

That’s the Mamba Mentality.