17 years after Jalen Rose tried to intentionally injure Kobe Bryant during Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant is still getting even with the former (underrated) Pacer and current ESPN personality.
In this new TV spot for a show called Jalen vs Everybody, Rose crosses path with Kobe at a restaurant, where the five-time NBA champion asks for 81 olives for his vodka martini. The 81 is a reference to the 81 points he dropped on Rose and the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
If you aren't familiar with the 2000 incident, here's Rose in 2012, talking about it on Grantland.
"I think I did it on purpose." Rose responded when asked if he purposely put his foot underneath Kobe when he landed. "I can't say that it was an accident.
"Kobe Bean Bryant goes up for a jump shot out on the right wing. I contest the jump shot. Kobe lands on my foot. He hobbles off and actually misses the next game. If it was up to me, he should've just missed the whole series. I would've had a championship ring and it would've been no harm, no foul."
Obviously the two are cool with each other since they have done a few ESPN things together, but it doesn't hurt they are also getting paid to do these things, the people love seeing it and if you know Jalen Rose's slogan, he wants to give the people what they want.
