John Ireland: Kobe Bryant Memories from the Lakers’ Play-by-Play Announcer

In his 22 years covering the Los Angeles Lakers as a sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer riffing off color commentator Mychal Thompson, John Ireland has seen the team win five NBA titles, pull off a rare threepeat, and make it to the Finals eight times. He has witnessed a lifetime of highlights from the likes of Shaq, LeBron, Paul Gasol, and other All-Stars, but it’s the legacy of Kobe Bryant that has left an indelible mark.

John started covering the Lakers in Kobe’s rookie year, and saw him grow from an unnaturally confident teenager into a perennial All-Star, two-time Finals MVP, and five-time champion. As a broadcaster, John called all of Kobe’s biggest victories and most painful losses, but it was the moments when nobody else was watching that revealed his true character. From brief courtside encounters at Staples Center to hotel conversations on the road to after-hours practice sessions in empty arenas, John had unique insights into a singular talent who will never be forgotten.

In this memorable episode marking Kobe’s tragic passing, John shares:

·       What Kobe working out with an assistant coach’s son at 4 AM showed

·       How his comment about Kobe not playing with a sprained ankle led to a 39-point outburst

·       Why Kobe once had 18 full beer bottles by his feet in a Houston bar

·       What parenting advice he gave Kobe after his daughter Natalia was born

·       Which Michael Jordan move Kobe perfected even though he knew it was traveling

·       Why Kobe’s 60-point farewell is the one game he’d go back and re-live

Listen to John as he calls Lakers games and hosts the Mason & Ireland show for ESPN LA, and follow him on Twitter @LAIreland.