Watch: Kobe told Shaq he wanted to be 'Will Smith of the NBA'

Kobe Bryant had big aspirations entering the NBA.

In an interview with Ernie Johnson that aired Wednesday on NBA TV, Shaquille O'Neal recalled a then-18-year-old Bryant aspiring to be like movie superstar Will Smith.

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"Kobe has always been one of those guys - one to compete, one to be the best," O'Neal said. "He told me one time he was going to be the Will Smith of the NBA. He told me that at 18 years old. I was like, 'OK, young fella.'"