Kobe Bryant, the 18x All-Star and 5x NBA champion, is arguably one of the greatest players to don the purple and gold. Bryant is a 5x NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, and despite his passing away continues to inspire young, aspiring players. Kobe spent 20 years in the NBA and sadly passed away at the age of 41, on January 26, 2020.
LeBron and Kobe have been known for their rivalry on the court being friendly as well as maintaining professionality. Kobe and LeBron have played against each other on numerous occasions. They were teamed together in the US men’s basketball team, also dubbed the, “Redeem Team.” Both legends led their country to two Olympic gold medals.
It’s surprising to note, on the day Kobe Bryant died, his last message to NBA fans was dedicated to none other than LeBron James.
Kobe Bryant’s last words were to LeBron James
Let’s go back to January 25, 2020. It was a day when LeBron James surpassed Bryant in the NBA’s All-Time scoring list. King James crossed the 33,643 mark set by Bryant, James did so in the purple and gold uniform. LeBron and Kobe were close to brothers, and Kobe on LeBron’s accomplishment sent out a tweet to the 4x MVP. However, this was sadly the last tweet from Mamba before his untimely demise. The tweet dated January 26, 2020 was the same day he lost his life in a horrific helicopter crash.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
LeBron was shaken by the news of the passing away of the Mamba, who had a telephone conversation with him hours before his crash. “Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!!,” said LeBron. James even captioned an emotional message to his lifelong friend Kobe on Instagram.
How did King James honor Kobe Bryant after his death?
LeBron spoke about their relationship, calling him a brother in his tribute to Kobe ahead of the Lakers-Clippers game at the time.
“Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we’ve seen over the last three years.” pic.twitter.com/0sS7e91cuz
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
“I look at this as a celebration tonight,” James said. “This is a celebration of the 20 years of the blood, the sweat, the tears, the broken down body…the determination to be as great as he could be. Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18 years of age, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad that we’ve seen over the last three years. Tonight is a celebration.”
James continued, “Kobe is a brother to me. From the time I was in high school watching him from afar, to getting in this league at 18 and watching him up close, all the battles that we had throughout my career, the one thing that we always shared was that determination to just want to win, to just want to be great. The fact that I’m here now means so much to me. I want to continue, along with my teammates, his legacy. Not only for this year, but for as long as we can play this game of basketball that we love, because that’s what Kobe Bryant would want. So in the words of Kobe Bryant. Mamba out. But in the words of us, not forgotten. Live on, brother.”
.@KingJames reveals his Kobe Bryant tattoo
“Mamba 4 Life” 🐍👑 pic.twitter.com/iZBk9UpyVg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2020
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LeBron took to Instagram and wrote, “I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man!”. That year the Lakers lifted the 17th NBA title, led by LeBron, who was named the finals MVP for the fourth time in his career. King James got a tattoo that says, “Mamba 4 Life.” The tattoo featured a snake in reference to Kobe’s “Black Mamba”, and numbers 8 and 24, Kobe’s jersey numbers. The tattoo also includes 2 roses.