Kobe Bryant: How did he influence the next generation of NBA stars?
Michael King On the third mourning anniversary of former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, the Black Mamba is still remembered as one of the most influential legends in NBA history, and as a recent star, current players look to the man who tragically lost his life on Jan. 26, 2020, as an influence.
Klay Thompson and his love for Kobe Bryant
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Klay Thompson is one of the main architects of the Golden State Warriors and on his third mourning anniversary he remembers a man who played in his home state of California.
"My favorite part of the night was going down the court to see him leave, just to be able to say 'Hi' to him and see what he drove, what he wore, how he walked," Thompson said. "Those were just good memories for me, being in the Staples Center parking lot. Just knowing my name was enough for me to tell people that he was my 'good friend.'
Kobe, the Michael Jordan of the modern era
Kobe and Gianna Bryant statue placed at crash site on two years anniversary of helicopter crashAP
Thompson went further to confess that when he watched Kobe Bryant play it was like watching the new Michael Jordan. "To me, he's the G.O.A.T. [greatest of all time] of my era. He was the Michael Jordan of my era, the Kobe of my era. He did everything," Milwaukee Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday said. "... I felt like he was the leader of the era of basketball that I grew up watching, especially being from Los Angeles County, from Los Angeles, he's our G.O.A.T."
Kobe Bryant won everything, even an Academy Award
Kobe's model of excellence was also reflected in everything he touched, and that applies to the Lakers and the NBA as a whole. Even in retirement, Kobe Bryant's name meant hard work and inspiration to many people. That became part of American culture.
After retirement, he was never going to put his feet up on his front porch and it didn't take long for him to prove it with a 2018 Best Animated Short Film Oscar win for 'Dear Basketball'.
If there was anyone who deserved to enjoy the fruits of his labor in this world, it was Kobe Bryant. He maximized every advantage he had and worked tirelessly to be the best version of himself. In doing so, he left a legacy that proves that you can achieve the greatest goals if you are prepared to work harder than anyone else for it.
