Los Angeles Lakers (DR) / ESPN (DR)
Kobe Bryant is considered by much of the Lakers Nation to be the plus great player in franchise history. An anecdote about him has just come out, and it ridicules LeBron James and the current Purple and Gold even more.
Kobe Bryant disappeared for more than two years now, but it is still present in the minds of all fans, all observers, and especially all NBA players. He was a role model and mentor to many talents, like Devin Booker and Kyrie Irvingthe two are currently shining and carrying his legacy to the roof of the world.
But what really remains of the Mamba, beyond his sports lessons, is his exceptional mentality. The legendary No. 24 has always worked harder, never hid behind injury or pain to justify poor performances, and that’s something many stars aspire to replicate.
When Kobe sacrificed his career to qualify the Lakers for the playoffs
Moreover, at a time when the Lakers are humiliated on all sides following their non-qualification for the play-in, some nostalgic fans have fun unearthing anecdotes that would prove that this fiasco would not have taken place under Mamba monitoring. The end of the 2013 season is perhaps one of the best examples of determination and self-sacrifice in league history. A Reddit user says:
In 2013, with just 8 games left, the Lakers trailed the Jazz for 8th place in the West. Kobe Bryant played 47 minutes in a decisive game against the Kings and had to leave the hall on crutches due to a sprained ankle and bone pain. Kobe played an average of 45 minutes over the next 6 games, winning 5 times. He eventually ruptured his Achilles tendon, but qualified his team.
Hard not to see a little tackle at LeBron James in this post. Indeed, the King has been absent for a few games due to a sprained ankle, while 9 years earlier, the Mamba wore the Lakers despite the same injury. He also played 45 minutes per game, all at almost 34 years old, which was simply extraordinary. Unfortunately, this abnegation cost him dearly.
Indeed, Kobe had exhausted himself physically, had greatly exceeded his limits, and his body made him understand with this tearing of the Achilles tendon which changed his destiny forever. The No. 24 never regained his best level thereafter and had to end his career earlier than if he had preserved himself. Bringing your team to the playoffs is good, playing them and keeping healthy is better.
Where LeBron James failed terribly in 2022, Kobe Bryant managed to carry the Lakers to the playoffs despite his injuries and his age. It is also for this feat that fans see him as the greatest player in franchise history.
