Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was a five-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star, and 11-time All-NBA First Team selection during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was known for his incredible work ethic and dedication to the game, and was idolized by fans and players alike. But who was Kobe’s favorite player?
Kobe’s Inspiration: Michael Jordan
Kobe’s favorite player was undoubtedly Michael Jordan. Kobe was constantly compared to Jordan throughout his career, and he embraced those comparisons. He even went as far as to adopt Jordan’s famous number 23 when he entered the league. Kobe said that he tried to pattern his game after Jordan, and he was inspired by his relentless work ethic and drive. He said that watching Jordan play was like watching a “master craftsman at work.”
Kobe and Jordan had a unique relationship. Jordan was an idol and mentor to Kobe, but they were also friendly rivals. Kobe was constantly striving to be better than Jordan, and Jordan was always pushing him to be the best.
Kobe’s Mentor: Magic Johnson
Kobe’s favorite player was also Magic Johnson. Magic was the leader of the “Showtime” Lakers, and he was a mentor to Kobe throughout his career. Kobe said that he learned a lot from Magic, and he was inspired by his leadership and unselfishness. Kobe said that Magic was the player that he looked up to the most, and he credited Magic with teaching him how to be a leader and a winner.
Kobe also had a close relationship with Magic off the court. The two were often seen socializing together, and Magic was one of the few people that Kobe trusted and confided in. Magic’s impact on Kobe’s life was so great that Kobe wrote a touching tribute to Magic after his death in 2020.
Kobe’s Inspirations: Other NBA Players
Kobe also looked up to other NBA players. He said that he admired the way that Larry Bird and Kevin McHale played the game, and he was inspired by their work ethic and determination. He also said that he was influenced by the way Dwayne Wade and LeBron James approached the game.
Kobe’s Fondness for Basketball
Kobe had a deep love for the game of basketball. He said that he was inspired by the way the game brought people together and allowed them to express themselves. He said that the game taught him so much, and he was grateful for the opportunity to play it.
Conclusion
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was constantly striving to be better than the players that he looked up to, and he was inspired by their work ethic and dedication to the game. His favorite player was undoubtedly Michael Jordan, but he also had a close relationship with Magic Johnson and looked up to other NBA players. Kobe had a deep love for the game of basketball, and he was grateful for the opportunity to play it.