Dec 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after scoring a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Kobe Bryant: Yoda
If Nance Jr. did get one thing right, it’s that Kobe is Yoda in so many ways. Obviously Nance meant it in the way that Yoda is the wise mentor for the Lakers that guides this team the way that Master Yoda did the Jedi and Luke Skywalker later on. However, the comparisons between the two go further than that.
By Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars canon, Yoda’s powers are nearly completely dissipated before he ultimately passes away. However, he still finishes his training of Luke and offers the last bit of wisdom he can to Skywalker to help him become the Jedi Master he ultimately will be, even if Yoda is no longer able to physically assist in that plight.
Considering the decline in Kobe’s skills that we’ve seen this season, that seems pretty akin to the role he’s playing on this team with his impending retirement looming at the end of the season. He’s giving all he has left to coach up the young players and doing his best to make sure that the Lakers are left in good hands.
If you want to get even a little deeper with the comparisons, Kobe has also been known to talk relatively cryptically and somewhat unnaturally, even if what he’s saying is wise or valuable. Kind of like Yoda, that is.
Next: Russell Hits Randle With No-Look Assist (Video)
There are plenty of other comparisons that could be made if you think about it enough, but these are five of the best Lakers players with their Star Wars counterparts. Hope you’ve enjoyed and leave all your Star Wars and Lakers thoughts in the comments.