Los Angeles Lakers: Comparing Kobe Bryant as 8 and 24

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 6: The Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Fame player banners are seen at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES: Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket past Reggie Miller (R) of the Indiana Pacers 16 June, 2000, during the second half of game five of the NBA Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The Pacers won the game 120-87 but still trail the Lakers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.(ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /

Reggie Miller: While only meeting each other twice a year, the elder of the two, Miller always made it a point to be a nagging pest to any one he was matched up with. On nights against the Lakers, that was Kobe Bean.

In one particular night in 2002, the trash talking between Bryant and Miller became more than just verbal jabs, with Bryant throwing a punch at Miller, which escalated to a brawl that came after the final whistle.

It was for some, quite an unforgettable moment, as Bryant and Miller only came out with minor scratches, while Pacers forward, Austin Croshere had his jersey ripped and his upper back scarred by trying to break up the fight.

It’s possible that Miller, still angry about losing to Kobe and the Lakers in the 1999-00 Finals, grew bitter as the Lakers handily whooped the Pacers’ behinds that night. The only other person to throw a straight right to Kobe’s chin was Sean “Diddy” Combs look-a-like, and New York Knicks guard at the time, Chris Childs.

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