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Kobe Bryant’s game memorabilia consistently fetches millions at auctions, highlighting his all-time status. However, one of the most priceless and sentimental mementos connected to Bryant isn’t on display or for sale—it resides in the inbox of former ESPN columnist Adrian Wojnarowski. The two shared a unique bond, and Wojnarowski credits this connection with enhancing his credibility among players and teams. Even as he embarks on new professional endeavors, his memories of Bryant remain vivid.

During the latest episode of ‘7PM in Brooklyn’, Wojnarowski recalled how Bryant disliked being frequently contacted for updates, preferring instead to communicate through email or text. The respect they shared even led Bryant to exchange his personal phone number with Wojnarowski.

The analyst recounted a memorable moment tied to Bryant’s return from his Achilles injury in 2013, sustained against the Golden State Warriors. “I remember the date—it’s November 16th. He said to me, ‘I will let you know when I come back to practice… I still have this one email on my phone. His email was bull mamba xxiv or something, and I remember it was on my Blackberry, and he just said, ‘You don’t have to hit me every day. I will tell you when I’m coming back.’ I said, ‘Okay, I’m not going to.’ Kobe didn’t like to be pestered. I didn’t pester him. I said, ‘You’ll tell me when you’re ready,” Wojnarowski shared.

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True to his word, Bryant sent a simple but powerful message on the day of his return. “It was like a Saturday morning, and I just got an email. And it just said, ‘First day.’ And that was his way. I remember I hit somebody with the Lakers. And that email, you know, sometimes these old emails just stay in your folder. And so every once in a while, I’ll be typing in ‘K-O’ for something else, and it’ll pop up, and it’ll make me think of him,” Wojnarowski said.

Bryant’s Achilles injury was among the most significant setbacks of his career, requiring surgery and intense rehabilitation. When he finally returned to the court on December 8, 2013, it was an emotional moment as he scored 9 points in his comeback game. During the conversation, Wojnarowski shared another surprising detail about Kobe Bryant’s one odd belief.

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Kobe Bryant’s aspiration to play for the New York Knicks

In classic Wojnarowski style, the columnist shared a lesser-known story about Bryant, revealing that the NBA legend once believed he might end up playing for the New York Knicks. According to Wojnarowski, Bryant confided in him about his concerns that the Lakers might amnesty him during a challenging period in his career. Wojnarowski reassured the five-time champion that such a move was highly unlikely. “He was convinced he was gonna end up with the Knicks,” Wojnarowski shared on ‘7PM in Brooklyn’. “I said, “They are not gonna amnesty you. They’ll burn the city down.”

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Would Kobe have been as iconic with the Knicks, or was he destined to be a Laker legend?

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Kobe’s love for Los Angeles and his unwavering loyalty to the Lakers were well-known. Despite his private concerns, he was determined to play his entire career for the franchise. However, in 2019, Bryant admitted that he often wondered what it might have been like to play for the Knicks.

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“I always kind of dreamed about playing in New York and what that would have been like. It’s true,” Bryant said in an interview with Frank Isola for The Athletic. “As a fan, the Garden was the historical arena. I always wanted to be a part of that history and play in it. So, New York was a team … it would have been pretty good to play in that city.”

Ultimately, Kobe never left the Lakers, solidifying his legacy as one of the most iconic players in the franchise’s history. Wojnarowski, who announced his departure from ESPN in September, has since taken on a new role as the General Manager of St. Bonaventure’s basketball program. Reflecting on his bond with Bryant, Wojnarowski’s stories about the late basketball legend highlight the depth of their connection, making it one of the most heartwarming relationships in sports journalism. What do you think about this heartwarming recollection? Tell us in the comment section below!

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Would Kobe have been as iconic with the Knicks, or was he destined to be a Laker legend?