Kobe Bryant Once Admitted He Copied This Lakers Legend: “I’ve Stolen So Many of Your Moves”

Whenever someone ranks the best players to ever grace the game of basketball, Kobe Bryant is right there on top with the GOATs. His influence off the court is even more incredible considering the number of people he has influenced.

Bryant the man who influenced many took his influence from another Lakers legend. The man who holds the record for most points scored in an NBA final was responsible for shaping a part of Kobe.

Elgin Baylor is considered one of the greatest to ever represent the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe once mentioned how Baylor has influenced him.

Kobe Bryant on the influence of Elgin Baylor

Whether it is Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or Giannis Antetokounmpo, their style of gameplay can be traced back to Baylor. He brought physicality into the game and was an excellent rebounder.

During the unveiling of Elgin Baylor’s statue in front of the then Staples Center, Kobe talked about how he took inspiration from him. Talking about Baylor, Kobe said, “I’ve stolen so many of your moves, it’s not even funny.”

Elgin was the pioneer of an interesting style that consisted of spinning shots off the glass to finish at the rim. His rebounding was unmatched and can be compared to modern legends like Karl Malone and Charles Barkley.

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Apart from being influential on the court, Baylor’s actions outside of it immortalized his legacy. He once sat out a game because he was staging a protest against a hotel. The reason being? The hotel refused to give rooms to him and his two Black teammates. 

How good was Baylor?

Baylor dominated the late 1950’s and 60’s with the Los Angeles Lakers. Elgin Baylor played the entirety of his career with the Lakers and is considered one of the best to ever put on the jersey.

People who had the opportunity to witness his greatness describe him as a rare combination of strength and flair. He scored a record-breaking 61 points during game 5 of the NBA finals in 1962 unmatched to date. Baylor averaged 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.

Despite not having an NBA championship to his name, his influence in basketball remains immortal. When someone as great as Kobe Bryant gets inspired by Baylor, it shows how much of a trendsetter he was.

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What is your favorite memory of Kobe Bryant? Let us know in the comments below.