LeBron James & Son Bryce Show Love to Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant on 45th Birthday

Kobe Bryant would’ve been 45 years old today. But his tragic demise in 2020 copter crash cut his legendary life short. Many NBA players paid tribute to the Black Mamba on his birthday. Among them was 4-time champion and current Lakers superstar LeBron James.

Kobe left a huge impact with his Hall of Fame career and mesmerizing personality. The Lakers legend continues to inspire others even today. That’s why The King’s younger son joined his father in wishing the legend.

LeBron James’ heartwarming tribute to Kobe

The Akron Hammer posted an old photo of him and Kobe Bryant meeting after a game. The picture seems to be from LeBron’s days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. He’s wearing a green headband which was part of LeBron’s high school colors. His younger son Bryce James shared the photo on his Instagram story with a heart emoji, paying his respect to the two legends.

Even though everyone considered them rivals because of their shared dominance on the court, LeBron and Kobe were very close off the court. They were part of the Olympics Redeem Team in 2008, where they won a gold medal for their homeland. Their bond grew stronger during their trip to Beijing, and they rejoined forces for the 2012 London Olympics and bagged another gold medal for the USA.

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As soon as LeBron entered the NBA, he was considered The Chosen One. King James was destined to carry the torch after Kobe passed his prime. So they were always put against each other. But in reality, there was always healthy competition and mutual respect between the two superstars.

King carrying Kobe’s legacy

Kobe spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and is considered the Greatest Laker of All Time by many. He won 5 championships and 2 Finals MVP trophies to become one of the Greatest players of all time. LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018 and has been playing in LA ever since. Although he will never be able to match the impact that Kobe had on the Lakers and Los Angeles, he is trying his best to carry Kobe’s Lakers legacy forward.

After Kobe passed away in 2020, LeBron brought some joy back to the city of Angels when he led the team to their first NBA title since 2010. He was named the Finals MVP in 2020 and dedicated the championship to the Late Great Kobe Bryant. LeBron has been unable to lift the championship trophy after 2020 and will look to add another title to his resume.

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Kobe’s Mamba Mentality mindset inspires and motivates multiple generations to work harder toward their goals. On the day that would have been Kobe’s 45th birthday, it is great to see a legend like LeBron James paying respect to one of the best to ever do it.