Daniel Artest — media entrepreneur, founder, and host of The Artest Effect and Keep’n It 9450 — joined me for a deeply personal and reflective conversation about life, legacy, and one of the greatest to ever do it: Kobe Bryant.
Best known as the younger brother of NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Ron Artest), Daniel has carved out his own powerful voice in the world of sports, business, and culture. But in an interview with me, it was his memories of Kobe that took center stage.
“Man, with Kobe, it was awesome. Kobe, it was more than basketball. We were just asking about each other’s families and stuff. And he’d give me advice,” Artest said. That advice, and the humanity behind it, stuck with him.
He recalled their first real connection coming during a Summer League tryout with the Los Angeles Lakers — before Ron even joined the team. “I was a Laker before Ron was,” Artest said.
“I was in LA training for about like three weeks…and I got cut from the Summer League team. Then Ron shows up and he’s like, ‘I’m signing.’ … I was right there with him when he signed the contract.”
That moment was bittersweet—but what happened with Kobe changed everything.
“Kobe seen me. He knew who I was. I met him before. And he pulled me to the side, showed me some footwork drills…because I was struggling with the triangle.” Artest said the triangle offense wasn’t easy, but Kobe took time after practice to teach him. “Once Kobe pulled me to the side…it was just amazing.”
Their relationship grew from there. “It was all love. I could go up to his family — Vanessa, the kids. I’d talk a little trash to Kobe like, ‘You can’t guard me in the post, man.’ I know he’d probably give me 80, but I’m getting mine too.”
Artest was also courtside for some painful moments — like when Kobe tore his Achilles. “I seen him, went up to him, like, ‘Yo, you good? Praying for you, brother.’” And he was present for one of Kobe’s final NBA tours. “Went to New York, Brooklyn, D.C., Philly, Miami, and Orlando. I went on that road trip with them. It was really fun to see the reaction…to see how he was received.”
What many called arrogance, Artest saw as elite commitment. “People didn’t like Kobe. ‘He’s arrogant.’ I was like, no — this man is not arrogant. If you’re with him and you’re trying to win, he rides with you. If not, he’s not going to mess with you. Kobe is about one thing: winning championships.”
He also broke down Kobe’s fabled “666” workout routine. “Six days a week for six months, six hours a day — three workouts a day, two hours each. Weights in the morning. Cardio. Then basketball.” Artest laughed, admitting he only managed “three-three-three” while playing professionally, but the influence was clear.
Today, Daniel Artest applies those lessons to mentoring the next generation. “You got to start right now. That means you’re eating. You got to sacrifice. Stop eating junk. Chill on relationships. Chill on the video games. If you want it, it’s right there.”
Quoting The Alchemist, Artest tied it all together: “The world will conspire a plan for you…but you have to embrace the ups and downs to get there.”
As the conversation wrapped, he reflected on Kobe’s tragic passing. “Life after basketball was only three years. That’s just the messed-up part of it. But Kobe — rest in peace. We all miss him. He was a good dude. Definitely giving of his time, advice.”
Daniel Artest’s reflections weren’t just about nostalgia — they were about legacy, purpose, and passing down the mindset that made Kobe immortal. For Artest, Kobe wasn’t just a basketball icon — he was a blueprint.
