While enjoying his retirement, former Los Angeles Lakers superstar #Kobe Bryant issued tough challenges to fellow superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall and isaiah thomas, who was recently traded by the Boston Celtics to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Via Twitter, Bryant said he wants Antetokounmpo to win the MVP Award. Bryant issued the dare after Antetokounmpo asked for his own challenge from the 18-time All-Star, who has been issuing challenges to different athletes and music personalities recently.
It will be a tough one for Antetokounmpo, who placed 8th in last season’s MVP voting, behind eventual winner Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James of the Cavaliers, Thomas, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Wall. Last season, the 22-year-old Antetokounmpo averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game, earning him a spot in the All-Star Game selection, the Most Improved Player award and a place in the All-NBA Second Team.
Bryant challenged Wall to make it to All-Defensive 1st Team
For his part, Wall by challenged by Bryant to make the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive First Team, which the Wizards point guard accepted by tweeting “Say no more!!”. In 2015, Wall made it to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team after averaging 1.9 steals per game. Last season, Wall averaged 23.1 points and 10.7 assists, making him one of the best point guards in the league alongside Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving.
Kobe urged Thomas to make it to All-NBA First Team
Bryant issued a daunting task to Thomas, urging him to make it to the All-NBA First Team. Last season, Thomas grabbed a spot on the All-NBA Second Team after averaging 28.9 points per game and leading the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals.
It will be an uphill task for Thomas since he’s still recovering from a hip injury and he’s been recently traded to the Cavaliers for Irving. In addition, Bryant challenged DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors to rekindle a lost friendship from your youth in Compton and rapper Kendrick Lamar’s record label to revolutionize the music program at Centennial High School. Bryant also dared Olympian Allyson Felix to coach the sprinters for the upcoming Special Olympics and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to break the Seahawks single season interception record.