Ex-Lakers big man says Kobe ran a ‘tight ship’ while LeBron is a ‘big kid’

Former Los Angeles Lakers big man and current Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Larry Nance Jr. is one of the few players that was able to spend time playing alongside both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Bryant and James are two of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, but they’re known for very different leadership styles, something Nance appeared to confirm.

He and Lonzo Ball, who played with James during his time on the Lakers, discussed the two players in a recent podcast.

“I would say just in how they led their locker rooms, right?” Nance said when asked to name the biggest difference between playing with Bryant and James. “Kob was very much so a force when he walked in. When he walked in, you knew – you felt that he was there.

“… Like, ‘My shoes need to be tied. Alright, is my locker clean? I can’t be the one that’s singled out today.’ He ran a tight ship, which again obviously worked to the tune of five rings. But Bron is more so like one of the guys. … He’s a big kid, which endears you to him even more.”

It’s interesting to hear about the contrast between James and Bryant, especially since both are champions. Bryant, who tragically passed away in 2020, was a five-time champion during his NBA career, winning two Finals MVPs with the Lakers.

He clearly demanded a lot of his teammates, but it helped him lead the Lakers franchise to immense success during his playing career. Bryant went to the NBA Finals seven times in his career, and he won three titles while playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal before capturing two rings later in his career with Pau Gasol as his sidekick.

James, who is a four-time champion, made the NBA Finals in eight straight seasons with the Miami Heat and Cavs earlier in his career, and he’s won four titles in 10 total appearances.

The four-time NBA Finals MVP has seen his leadership work in multiple places, as he’s won titles with the Cavs, Heat and Lakers in his career.

Nance certainly is lucky to have played alongside two NBA legends, and it appears that he was able to appreciate both leadership styles. James may be a little more laid-back than Bryant was, but the results speak for themselves.

This season, James is hoping to help Luka Doncic and the Lakers reach the NBA Finals, and they’re off to a great start, winning 15 of their first 19 games.