The 18-time All-Star looms large in today’s game.
Legendary Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant apparently continues to be a major influence for new generations of NBA players.
Second-year Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas spoke with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Bally Sports at length about his life beyond the hardwood. When it came to discussing the most inspirational figures in molding his game, Thomas cited Bryant above all others.
“Of course you have other guys that you like to watch, but as far as admiring and wanting to be like, taking things from … Kobe,” Thomas told Robinson.
“I watched all of his videos and his games on YouTube, and I was a diehard Lakers fan growing up because of him obviously. Everything Lakers, I was that. I’m a big Kobe guy.”
This season, the 22-year-old Thomas is averaging 7.4 points on .437/.360/.784 shooting splits, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for the 30-21 Nets.
The late Bryant, who was voted the league’s MVP in 2008, played for 20 seasons with your Los Angeles Lakers, from 1996-2016, and helped lead the club to seven NBA Finals appearances, winning five. His dynamic two-way ability and flashy showmanship endeared him to generations of hoop heads, and his legacy continues with ever-expanding lines of legacy sneakers courtesy of Adidas and Nike.
