What makes the Mamba? 5 little-known stories about Kobe that further his legend

#5 The time when Kobe saluted Hakeem after using his moves

Los Angeles Lakers v Houston Rockets

Although Bryant built his reputation as one of the league's most explosive scorers primarily from the perimeter, he knew he wouldn't always have the quickness to get to the rim with such ease. As a result, he showed more inclination to try to score easier baskets from the post in the latter half of his career, pretty much the same way Michael Jordan did in his second 3-peat.

Just a week before training camp began in September 2009, the Dream gave Bryant a two-hour step-by-step lesson on everything from head fakes and ball fakes to spin moves and jab steps.

"It was an honor for me to have the opportunity to work with him, and I want to make him proud of what I've learned," Bryant said. "I have wanted to work with him in the past, but the timing was right this year. I got a chance to work with the greatest post player ever. I've always been a student of the game, and he was very patient with me."

What impressed Olajuwon most about Bryant was the fluidity with which the Lakers star duplicated his moves. Bryant's agility and athleticism allowed him to have success within hours where the likes of Dwight Howard have hardly benefited from any of his advice.

Later on, during the 2010 Western Conference Semifinals, as the Lakers met Houston, Bryant was matched up with Shane Battier - an elite defender. Each time he backed down Battier in the post and then deftly spun around him for a layup, Kobe jogged up court staring into the same pocket of fans seated courtside across from the scorer's table.

The man who met his gaze knew exactly the message Bryant was trying to convey.

"He looked at me to confirm, 'I'm using what you taught me,' " Hakeem Olajuwon said. "That was the greatest gift for me. It was wonderful."