Throughout his 20-year NBA career, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant went from solidifying his own legacy to being a hugely positive influence on the entire basketball world.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul talked to CloseUp360 about how people have been remembering the five-time NBA champ.
“You see how he’s impacted so many people’s lives and not just on the basketball court, and that’s what the true meaning of legendary is,” said Paul. “If everybody just remembers you for how many jump shots you made or who you dunked on or who you crossed up, then that’s not real. And I think, for Kob, even though he had a lot of big plays in his career, more people think of him when you think of the mentality, who he was as a person and not what he did on the court.”
Paul himself has been in a position to make a positive impact on the NBA community, as he’s been the president of the National Basketball Players Association since 2013.
Of course, Lakers fans have been left to think about what could’ve been since the league vetoed the trade of Paul to the Lakers in 2011. The deal was put together shortly after the end of the lockout that year, and it likely would’ve extended the Lakers’ championship window for a few more years.
Not only could it have added even more to Bryant’s legacy, but it could’ve also made Paul a better player by virtue of Bryant’s leadership and influence.
As it is, Paul has had a strong season after a down year with the Houston Rockets in 2019. The former New Orleans Hornet is averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 assists this season for the surprising Thunder.
For his efforts, Paul was named to the NBA All-Star Game last month for the first time in four years.
