As LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers embark on the 2019-20 NBA season, the King took time to look back at his greatest Lakers memories from watching the team while growing up as a fan of Kobe Bryant. James specifically discussed the play against the Portland Trail Blazers when Bryant found Shaquille O’Neal on a lob in the paint to complete a comeback victory during the Western Conference Finals while also referencing one of the clutch field goals nailed by Robert Horry.
During the interview with ESPN Los Angeles, James went on to mention that Kobe served as an inspiration to him in high school. LeBron said that if you look back through his high school photos he’s wearing Bryant’s signature sneaker more often than not. He also added that Kobe was a player who James looked to emulate by similarly making a successful leap from high school to league.
“My greatest Laker memory, probably the Western Conference Finals, Kobe got the ball up at the top. He hits Scottie Pippen with the left to right crossover and drives down the lane and threw the lob over to Shaq in the Staples Center and he dunked it right before Rasheed Wallace could touch the ball.
“In 2001, 2002, 2003, those were my high school years. Kobe Bryant was like an inspiration to me because he was a kid who went straight to the league from high school. If you look back at some of my pictures, I used to wear Kobe’s a lot. So I know the history of the Lakers.”
The Los Angeles Lakers will tip-off against the Clippers at 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET in a nationally televised contest on TNT to open a season in which they hope to make some new history of their own.
