Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 47 years old yesterday. Because of his impact on the game of basketball itself, he’s still remembered quite fondly all these years later.
Among those who certainly remember Bryant’s influence is LeBron James, who shared a clip of him praising the NBA legend during Bryant’s retirement tour in 2016 to commemorate Bryant’s memory.
LeBron James Shared His Thoughts on Kobe Bryant During His Swan Song With the Lakers
To celebrate Bryant’s birthday, James shared a clip from 2016 on an episode of “Uninterrupted” on what it was like to face Bryant for the final time on his Instagram story. While the clip he shared on his story only showed part of his message to Bryant, this was his message in full back then.
“This is my last opportunity. My last game playing against one of the greatest to ever play this game, Kobe Bryant. It’s a lot of mixed emotions going into this game. Just playing against him so many years, and then as a kid growing up, idolizing and watching him, being in his home building for the last time, it means a lot for myself and I know for a lot of my teammates as well,” James said.
James also talked about the impact Bryant had on the Lakers and the league as a whole.
“He’s done so much for our league, done so much for me personally, and obviously for the Lakers organization, everybody here in California. Much respect, much love for the Mamba, Kobe Bean Bryant. I won’t take this last moment in Staples Center for granted. I understand this if the last time that we be on the court together, and I’ll do my part to continue to grow it, to make it as great as you made it, and leave it for the next group that comes behind me, and the rest of the guys. Salute
Love this message from LeBron to Kobe ahead of their final matchup. #MambaDay
(via @uninterrupted) pic.twitter.com/6lVjSCNSik
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) August 24, 2025
Many players have cited Bryant as their biggest influence as a player because of the vaunted “Mamba Mentality” that pushed him to be the best basketball player he could be, and James’ message shows he was no different in that regard. James may not have had the same exact persona that Bryant did, but it’s clear that both of them pushed themselves the best they could to maximize their potential.
James metaphorically took the Lakers’ baton from Bryant, even though there was a three-year gap between when the latter retired and when the former joined the team. He wanted to continue building the Lakers’ legacy as a franchise after Bryant left the game. It’s a shame that Bryant never got to see James and the Lakers win a title, but in a way, it felt poetic that they did following Bryant’s tragic death.
