‘So Meaningful To This League’ – Suns’ Chris Paul Talks About Kobe Bryant And His Impact on the NBA

Kobe Bryant is still one of the most beloved figures in the NBA. Even though Kobe retired in 2016, players and fans to this day hold him in the highest regard. During his 20-year long career, Bryant served as an inspiration to several current and future NBA superstars. The absence of Bryant is still something that players carry with themselves to this day, with several people trying to live up to the standard he set.

Chris Paul pays tribute to Kobe Bryant

Phoenix Suns’ guard Chris Paul recently spoke to the press. He talked about the memory of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi. This weekend marked Gigi’s 15th birthday, and several NBA players including CP3 donned the ‘Mambacita’ clothing line.

Paul noted that the NBA is a brotherhood, and Kobe was significant to several players in the league. This is why so many players do their best to pay respect to him every day.

CP3 said, “Kobe and GiGi (were) so meaningful to this league. We always talk about ‘this (is) a brotherhood’. And Kobe has meant more to this league than a lot of other players, and I think the players understand that. So Vanessa, we all a part of that family and we just try to support her and the family as much as we can.”

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Chris Paul’s comments echo the general sentiments of the NBA. Several players have taken opportunities over the past year and a half to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant. The Lakers team donned ‘Black Mamba’ jerseys during their playoff run last year in order to show him respect. Furthermore, other players in the league have stepped up and spoken about what Bryant meant to them while growing up.

Kobe is a true icon of the game

Bryant was one of the all-time greats in the NBA. Entering the NBA in 1996, Bryant took just four seasons to win an NBA championship. He and Shaquille O’Neal formed what many consider the greatest duo of all time.

They went on to win three consecutive NBA championships between 2000 to 2002. After Shaq left, Kobe worked hard for years, before winning two more consecutive NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.

READ MORE: Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Draymond Green Pay Tribute to Kobe Bryant’s Daughter Gigi on Her Birthday

Kobe’s legacy will go down as one of the most lethal players of all time. Bryant was on another level with his mentality. He would fight till the final buzzer and do everything in his power to get the win. But more than that, the thing that he was more proud of was his family, especially his daughters.