By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Retired at the end of the 2015-16 season, Kobe Bryant had to wait two years before seeing LeBron James take up his torch at the Lakers. He was also one of the first to welcome him there with remarks that he subsequently revealed.
Turning such an important page in the history of a franchise is rarely easy, even when the franchise in question displays a power of attraction in its own right. The Lakers have gone through complicated months following the retirement of Kobe Bryant. The reconstruction then initiated nevertheless received a huge boost during the summer of 2018… thanks to one man.
Kobe Bryant’s welcome to LeBron James at the Lakers
Two years after the last match played by Bryant in the Purple & Gold colors, another legend chose to join Los Angeles to put the team back in the spotlight. And who better to carry out such a task than LeBron James, a free agent following four seasons with the Cavaliers. Kobe also ensured that he was properly acclimatized on site, as he told Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Radio :
Kobe Bryant : I talked with him during the playoffs, and then I talked to him last night, after he made his decision. I told him, “Welcome to the family, man. » It sounds crazy, but I told him, “Boy, you’re family now. So whatever you need, count on me. Whatever the reason, I’m here for you. “I just wished him and his family the best and can’t wait to see them here.”
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Kobe Bryant : Man, as a person, you have to help your brothers do well. I had a great career, I played 20 years, it was incredible, I had some great moments, we were lucky enough to win five titles, all that.
Now the time has come to let someone else take charge. And that’s how things have always been at the Lakers.
Always committed to the success of his favorite franchise, Bean took charge of ensuring the handover with LeBron. However, this did not go as well as he had hoped. Indeed, Vino thought that the simple presence of his prestigious counterpart would be enough to bring the Angelinos back to the forefront from the 2018-19 season… but ultimately saw his prediction fall through:
Kobe Bryant : With LeBron on this roster, I don’t think qualifying for the playoffs will be a problem.
Two years after his last game with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant retained a leading role as part of the signing of LeBron James. Fans of the franchise can therefore thank him for the successful installation of the King in California.
2024-06-23 18:20:00
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