Lakers: LeBron James Shows Love, Respect For Kobe Bryant

LeBron James finally spoke about Kobe Bryant’s retirement and what the Lakers star measn to him 

Since 2003, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has always had a natural rival in the context of the NBA. LeBron James came into the fold having already been coronated as the next great in the league, but Kobe was never keen on relinquishing that title just yet.

The relationship between Bryant and James has always been one of the more fascinating inter-player relationships in the league. Not only is it two grown men working as pseudo-rivals, but it’s also two men who stand in stark contrast to one another. Kobe is the ultra-competitive, cutthroat near-sociopath (in terms of basketball, nothing more) whereas LeBron is the winner of the genetic lottery who doesn’t possess the same mentality a Kobe Bryant does.

It’s been compelling to watch the two stars compete against and interact with one another despite their vast differences. So when Kobe announced his retirement at the end of this season on Sunday evening, it was hard not to anticipate what LeBron would have to say.

LeBron finally broke his silence on the subject on Tuesday morning. As you’d expect nothing less from James, he was candid, respectful, and nostalgic in talking about Kobe. He started by talking about growing up watching Kobe and how he idolized the Lakers star in his own, unique way:

He then lamented his shortcomings on never getting to play against Bryant in the postseason:

Then he spoke on how Kobe’s drive and work-ethic inspired him to be better every time that he was going into the gym and trying to get better:

To top it off, he again expressed his disappointment that the two stars never met in the Finals, despite both men leading their teams there on many occasions:

James and Bryant are most often going to be brought up in terms of a debate about a best player in a certain era or in the context of NBA history. However, fans of both players alike forget the fact that these guys both served as motivation for one another and that both players benefitted in a strange way from their friendly rivalry. Rather than being against one another always, LeBron paints a picture that has the two future Hall-of-Famers more intertwined than anything. Plus, who doesn’t want to see LeBron rocking young Kobe’s afro?

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The fact that LeBron, without question one of the three best players in the league at any time over the past decade, feels this much respect for Kobe and regret for not getting to compete with him in the Finals is yet another example of how important Kobe is to the Lakers and this league. He’s an icon that has inspired much of what we see in the NBA today to take place and he’ll be sorely missed.