Blazers’ Hood Focuses on ‘Little Things’ During Session With Kobe Bryant

Rodney Hood is poised to receive an increased role with the Trail Blazers in the 2019-20 season. In an effort to prepare for the season ahead, Hood journeyed to California to work alongside Kobe Bryant at the Mamba Sports Academy.

On Friday, Blazers Beat Reporter Casey Holdahl discussed what Hood took away from the invite-only session with Byrant.

“It was amazing,” said Hood, who lists Bryant as his all-time favorite player. “There was a bunch of top-level guys there, Paul George, Kawhi (Leonard) down to everybody else. About 30 guys, we got in, we learned a lot, a lot of footwork, we did weight training, got a chance to compete against each other a lot and learned a lot from Kobe.”

Hood went on to explain that emphasized defense during the his visit.

“Just talking to him, seeing how to read defenses, seeing how to defend, we talked about that as well,” said Hood. “It was just about competing, talking about how to compete. Just little tricks of the trade, making it tough for guys in the league. Obviously these are some of the best offensive players we see in the league from top to bottom, but making them work, forcing the help and things like that, just small things, it’s great. I know it helped me.”

Hood, who is slotted to occupy a spot in the Blazers’ starting lineup, was on the court for 18 minutes during Bryant’s 60-point farewell game at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season.

You can read the full story from Holdahl by clicking here.