Chapter 232 - Kobe's Training Camp 14

Isabella POV

I was up by two points, we were playing to five. Me against one of the greatest to ever play the game Kobe Bryant. After my father had provoked him he was now serious and playing defense on me like I was a grown man as he bumped into me and everything. 

I was starting to get nervous wondering if I'll be able to ever score, finally I was able to have the courage as I pushed forward dribbling around. He kept up with me but I didn't give up, I took a step back and as my father had told me to try the rainbow shot.

I threw it straight up in the air as it went straight up. Kobe was bȧrėly able to reach it but it slipped by him and went straight into the net surprising everybody there. The place was quiet, the only thing I could hear was my father getting up and starting to clap his hands.

I was shocked I was able to get that through as I wheezed in and out of breath and beyond excited I was able to pull that off.

Kobe looked at me strangely as he went and grabbed the ball and helped me up. I thanked him as he checked the ball up again, this time he seemed to be a little bit more calm. I wondered if he was angry or he was just focused. Either way the game had started. I had to keep playing. I started bouncing the ball around, I did a crossover but he didn't bite, instead using his long arms he was able to pluck the ball out of my hand. I ran for the ball but he was much faster as he grabbed it, turned around and went in for the easy dunk.

He looked at me with some fierceness in his eyes as Daddy started shouting "do you feel proud to finally score against my little baby girl!", that's when Kobe calmed down as he had forgotten who he was playing against, he smiled and said" let's keep playing, I'm having fun".

I laughed nervously but I checked the ball once again. This time Kobe just drove by me, he was too quick and I couldn't keep up with him as he went in for the jump and dunked it once again. I looked up at him hanging in the room and thought, this guy who's acting just like a kid.

My father was on the bench booing Kobe for his immaturity but I didn't mind it. I was still happy to be able to score three points against him. That was an achievement nobody my age had probably ever done so I was very proud. I checked the ball once again, noticing that he started to break into a sweat now causing me to be quite excited because nobody had done that so far.

This time he decided to take a step back on the 3-point line as he took the shot. I ran hoping that he would miss it but it went into the hoop giving him two more points. One more point and he'll be able to win the game.

We checked up the ball once again, I was playing better defense on him as I didn't get any space but it didn't matter he bounced the ball between my legs and then bounced it behind me showing how short I was and then bounced it between his legs and behind his back as he showed off his dribbling skills.

I just stood there watching all of this in amazement, the crowd started cheering him on as he went into a frenzy with dribbles. After a while he pulled up and did a step back, took the shot and missed it. I was able to grab the rebound and took it back to the three point line. I wanted to put it back up right away but I guess the rule was to always take it back at least that's how we played in our playground.

Kobe was shocked he missed, especially after doing that show but he quickly got back on defense trying to prevent me from taking the shot. I decided to try a little trick on him as I stopped. He started smiling because he knew I couldn't dribble anymore. 

I pretended like I was shooting but he didn't bite as he stood there with his hands up high ready to block anything I send up I bounced it off his foot making it come right back to me and squeezed under his legs passing right by him and doing a floater as I ran up due to his shock he wasn't able to react in time as I scored another point bringing it to a tie game.

The place went crazy. They were amazed that I was able to go toe to toe with Kobe. Daddy was excited as he went around saying that's my daughter, that's my daughter she's going to be the future MVP in the WNBA and win plenty of championships. The guys were a bit jealous but they knew my dad had enough game to talk like that especially after seeing me play like that they believed I would be a top player in the future.

I checked it up once again as the gym had finally calmed down. I couldn't use the same trick again so I had to come up with a new one. I started dribbling a little bit. I crossed left and I crossed right. I tried to cross again but he was able to reach in and take the ball from me. I played the best defense I could but it was no use as he went in the post and did a turnaround jumper with his little fade away.

I couldn't believe I turned that away. I could have won against Kobe Bryant but that was just wishful thinking. I knew I would definitely never win against him, at least not at this stage.

Daddy ran down to court and picked me up as he swung me around saying how proud of me he was. Kobe just left as he said" good game no little girl has ever made me sweat and given me that many buckets ever so I know you'll be great in the future, that last trick you pulled on me was quite impressive I might use that one day".

I laughed and said "thank you Uncle Kobe for giving me the chance to play against you. I think I have reached another new level after that challenging game, he simply laughed as Daddy picked me up and took me to the bleachers.

There's going to be a few more games before Daddy gets to play against Kobe, he seemed like he was already fired up. I'm glad I came to the camp and I'm extremely glad that I had daddy with me.