They really thought they were ready. They were not ready. Kobe Bryant was already a problem before he ever set foot in an NBA arena. While most high school kids were worried about getting recruited or just surviving varsity, Kobe was out here playing at a level that genuinely didn't belong in that gym. The footwork, the handles, the pull-up jumper, the absolute refusal to let anyone stop him — it was all already there. You could see exactly who he was going to become just by watching him move, and the poor defenders who had to guard him probably still have nightmares about it. What makes these clips so incredible is the confidence of the guys trying to stop him. They're stepping up like they have a legitimate chance. They're positioned like their film study actually prepared them for this moment. And then Kobe does something that simply should not be possible at that age and you watch the exact moment the fight leaves their eyes. It happens every single time and it never gets old no ma...