Kobe Bryant never shied away from competition; he flourished in the most competitive environments. Ultimately, that is what made the Black Mamba who he was. When Bryant came to the Los Angeles Lakers, he was a young, sensational, and standout player at just 17 years old.
Kobe joined an up-and-coming Lakers team that was filled with veteran presence and was destined to compete for a title, thanks to Shaquille O’Neal’s signing in the same offseason. Although he had talent, Bean had to learn how to adapt and play behind experienced players, fighting for his role and gradually growing into a leader.
Fast forward 20 years, and Bryant became one of, if not the greatest Lakers ever — five championships, two Finals MVPs, a regular-season MVP, 18 All-Star appearances, 15 All-NBA Team honors, 12 All-Defensive Team nods — the legacy is unlike any other.
However, before Bryant, there was a Laker whom the Black Mamba looked up to and who had a similar structure to him.
“For me to grow up and play for this organization that I’ve always wanted to play with, I mean, I bleed Purple and Gold, that’s real. So, that’s the craziest dream to me. I’ve always dreamed of following Magic [Johnson] ‘s footsteps, coming to Los Angeles, playing for the Lakers, winning multiple championships, and here the hell we are. It’s crazy,” Bryant said in a 2018 interview.
Kobe and Magic’s similar paths
Although Bryant and Magic Johnson had different starting points, their destination was the same. Magic entered the league as the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft on a contender-made team that got to the finals in his rookie year. His impact was instantly evident at the highest level, as he won the Finals MVP. After that, Earvin became the face of the franchise.
On the other hand, in his rookie year, Bryant fought for his position behind Eddie Jones, Byron Scott, and rookie Derek Fisher. Although he had his ups and downs in his first year, especially in the playoffs, Kobe found his groove in his second year, where he made the All-Star Team as the youngest player ever.
In the middle part of their careers, both Laker legends aligned their Hall of Fame paths with multiple championships, with dynasty years defining those title runs behind all-time great big men in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and O’Neal. They built the Lakers organization into what it is today, centering it as the identity of the NBA.
The tail end of their careers was different, with Johnson’s career ending prematurely due to an HIV-related illness and Bryant winning two back-to-back titles without O’Neal, stamping his legendary impact on the game and prolonging his career for a bit longer.
Kobe was one of a kind
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time. His statement proved who he was: a man who believed he could do anything. And Kobe for sure did, with one of the greatest franchises in all of sports.
Bryant didn’t want Johnson’s glamour, smile, or flashiness; he wanted his impact, influence, and dominance. One could agree he surpassed him in that. The Black Mamba’s hard work and dedication were unparalleled, that of a true artist and lover of the game who inspired many to fall in love with basketball.
