Long before LeBron James donned the purple and gold jersey of the Los Angeles Lakers, his journey was intertwined with that of the legendary Kobe Bryant.
Reflecting on those early encounters, LeBron recently shared a moment that transcended the scoreboard and showcased the mutual respect between two basketball titans.
LeBron James recalls his first encounter with Kobe Bryant
In a nostalgic social media post, LeBron recounted a game where he faced off against Kobe, not just as opponents but as two players destined for greatness. Despite the numbers on the stat sheet, it wasn’t the points or the rebounds that lingered in LeBron’s memory. It was a singular act of sportsmanship, a moment when Kobe, in victory, extended a helping hand to LeBron, acknowledging the growing greatness in his opponent.
“There are many things that die in this world, but legends never die, and that’s exactly what he is,” LeBron said.
“To have the chance to remember him in every game and to wear the black uniform during the post-season and have success was incredible.
“I can wear the number two and four on my fingers in every game, and when we play at the Staples Center, we have his number on the roof and can live up to his legacy.”
LeBron James looks back on the first time he faced Kobe Bryant đ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 22, 2023
LeBron went for 16 points, 5 rebounds, & 7 assists on 6-of-20 shooting. Kobe Bryant finished with 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting in the Lakers' 89-79 win over the Cavs.
(via IG/kingjames)pic.twitter.com/kgUH7kSOdh
The hardwood battles between the two surpassed mere points and assists; they symbolized a passing of the torch, a narrative that LeBron continues to carry forward as he writes his own chapter in the Lakers’ storied history.
Lebron James surpassed Kobe Bryant?
In a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2020, LeBron James carved his name into the annals of NBA history.
A routine layup, seemingly inconspicuous in the context of the match, propelled him to surpass Lakers legend Kobe Bryant on the all-time scoring list.
As LeBron soared past Kobe’s career points, the shared respect between the two players echoed louder than the cheers in the arena, underscoring a moment etched in the vibrant tapestry of their intertwined legacies.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother đȘđŸ #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Despite Bryant’s competitive nature, he opened up in an interview with Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY, that he has no hard feelings towards Lebron James surpassing him on the NBA scoring list.
Beyond this remarkable achievement for LeBron James, can you reminisce about other memorable moments from the interactions between these two basketball legends?
Let us know in the comments down below!
