The late Kobe Bryant’s decorated NBA journey is a result of his sheer hard-work.? The “Black Mamba” cemented his legacy after his iconic championship runs in 2009 and 2010. Eleven months after a Kobe Bryant dream left him bewildered, a long-time friend of the “Black Mamba” reminisces of his playing days with the Lakers legend.

In a recent podcast interview, the 2x NBA champion talks about how the late legend influenced a major life decision of his.

?2011’s Sixth Man of the Year was influenced by Kobe Bryant

In a recent “Knuckle Heads” podcast, 2x NBA champion Lamar Odom opened up about his relationship with the late Kobe Bryant. The 2x NBA champion talks about getting traded to the Lakers in 2004. He says, “I go back to being with Bean. I knew him since we were 16 through AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and all.”

The former Lakers star then remembered Kobe’s influence on one of his major life decisions.

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Odom recalled, “I was going to go straight to the NBA.” Lamar then mentions how he took advice from Kobe Bryant when he considered entering the NBA directly from high-school.

After taking advice from his AAU friend and future Lakers teammate, Odom decided to attend college before entering the league in 1999.

Kobe continues to inspire people till this day

The late Kobe Bryant passed away more than three years ago. However, his legacy lives on as his stories continue to inspire people from around the world. Not just that, some are remembering him in metaphysical ways.

Eleven months ago, Odom shared his story of when Kobe communicated with him in his dreams during his reality show stint.

Lamar had mentioned in an earlier interview how him and Kobe were shooting hoops in his dream when apparently late Kobe Bryant told him, “Lamar, the afterlife is nothing like what people say.” A headscratcher, that one.

In the recent podcast episode though, Lamar Odom also shared instances that clearly highlighted the elite mindset of the “Black Mamba”.

“I heard him say he was better than MJ on the bus. I mean when Kobe says it, you get to take a look inside his mind. He really was different.”

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