Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Buccaneers pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul each pointed to something Bryant told a reporter after Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Magic.
For context, here’s what Bryant said when he was asked why he wasn’t smiling after LA had taken a 2-0 series lead: “The job’s not finished . . . job’s not done,” Bryant said. The Lakers went on to win the series in five games.
The Bryant quote became a part of the 2020 NBA Finals when the Lakers were playing the Heat. LA won that series in six.
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Mahomes’ reference following the Chiefs’ victory over the Bills in the AFC championship game was part of a larger acknowledgement of/tribute to Bryant, who died one year ago Tuesday in a helicopter crash in California.
Pierre-Paul made reference to the Bryant quote in an interview with NFL Network’s Joe Thomas after the Bucs defeated the Packers in the NFC title game. (Jump to 2:00 for what JPP said.)
Both players already have Super Bowl rings: Mahomes won his last year with the Chiefs and Pierre-Paul received one with the Giants in the 2011 season. They want another one Feb. 7 in Tampa, and they’re ready to get to work on it.
