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

#4 Helping Trevor Ariza with reconstructing his jumpshot

NBA Finals Game 5: Los Angeles Lakers v Orlando Magic

The Lakers acquired Trevor Ariza in a trade from the Orlando Magic in the summer of 2007. A second-round pick after a one-and-done college career with the UCLA Bruins, Ariza had raised eyebrows around the league because of his athleticism and ability to defend several positions effectively.

But he had been a below-average shooter thus far, and the Lakers were short of shooting on their roster. By now firmly the Lakers' franchise player, Kobe set about helping Ariza with his shooting mechanics in an attempt to increase his value to the team. The move paid off huge dividends as Ariza and the Lakers made it to two straight Finals, winning the second in 2009 against Ariza's old employers.

Bryant made nine 3-pointers in the NBA Finals; Ariza made 10. Bryant made 37 3-pointers in the playoffs; Ariza made 40. Twice in the second quarter of Game 5, Bryant drew defenders and kicked the ball over to Ariza, who stepped into perfect-form 3-pointers against the team that traded him. The 16-0 run put together this way took the Lakers to a 10-point lead that they never relinquished, en route Kobe's 4th championship.

Asked about Orlando trading him to the Lakers, Ariza said: "I know they always knew that I could shoot the ball; that wasn't the issue. It was just the confidence."

"Getting that from him? Kind of cool, kind of cool," Ariza said. "Because before I got here, you always hear how he's this certain type of person. And when I got here, you realize he's not what everybody says he is."

"I just got in the gym every day and worked. I used what he told me, used some things that he gave me to do. And I just worked."