"I was a piece in his chess game".

Five time NBA Champion Michael Cooper still thinks he's the best defensive player the LA Lakers have ever had.

But he got a workout he wasn't expecting when a teenage Kobe Bryant was given the chance to show the 40 year old 'Coops' what he could do.

One trial session, one on one, Cooper witnessed first hand the moment a High School star began his NBA journey.

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images & Mike Powell/Getty Images)