Nick Young reveals who Kobe Bryant made cry during his “charming” workout speech

In December 2014, after a dismal 6-16 start to the season, Kobe Bryant delivered one of the most intense practice speeches in NBA history, targeting his Los Angeles Lakers teammates. Bryant’s frustration boiled over as he called the team “soft like Charmin,” and his anger appeared to be directed primarily at point guard Jeremy Lin, according to FadeawayWorld. According to Nick Young, who recently covered the infamous day at Gil’s Arena, the pressure of Kobe’s tirade brought Lin to tears in the locker room.

“People don’t know that Jeremy Lin actually cried in the locker room that day,” Young revealed. “He was emotional.” Despite Lin’s efforts to approach Bryant for a conversation, Kobe’s single-minded focus on winning left little room for camaraderie. Young encouraged Lin to stand up for himself, saying, “I told him, ‘I don’t care if it’s Kobe. You’re on the court with him, so act like it.’”

Bryant’s training intensity was legendary, but this particular session showed just how relentless he could be. Lin, who had averaged solid results this season, saw his recent struggles even more clearly under Kobe’s microscope. As the battle unfolded, Bryant didn’t hold back, pointing out Lin’s mistakes and even taunting him after turnovers.

Bryant’s leadership and Young’s determination

While Lin seemed shaken by Bryant’s fiery leadership, Nick Young was unfazed. Known for his confidence and swagger, Young remained steadfast in his dealings with Kobe, even assuring that it was “his team” during this difficult period. Young later reflected on that moment and explained that he understood how to handle an alpha like Bryant, saying, “Kobe only had one leg back then. He couldn’t do anything with me.”

Gilbert Arenas, a former teammate of Young’s, praised his fearless attitude. “That’s what Kobe wanted to see,” Arenas shared, emphasizing that Bryant respected players who showed fighting spirit. Young’s confidence paid off in the next game against Spurs, where he scored a game-winning three-pointer and cemented his reputation as a player who thrived under pressure.

This infamous practice revealed Kobe Bryant’s relentless demand for excellence while also revealing the different ways in which his teammates responded to his leadership. For Lin, it was a moment of vulnerability; For Young, it became a badge of honor.