Back to the Los Angeles Lakers Newsfeed

Kobe chronicles: Kevin Martin remembers his first encounter with Bryant

As Kobe Bryant plays out his 20th and final season with the Lakers, the Los Angeles Times has reached out to players, coaches and broadcasters for recollections about his career.

It happened more than 11 years ago, but Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin recently recalled his first game against Kobe Bryant as though it was yesterday.

It was a 2004 preseason contest in Fresno. Martin’s Sacramento Kings teammate, Doug Christie, was sidelined because of an injury, and Martin, then a 21-year-old rookie, started in place of the veteran guard.