During his high school career at Lower Merion High School, Bryant pondered the possibility of becoming Sixer, and the idea of reviving the Philadelphia franchise inspired him. “Kobe was someone that I just always kind of wanted to be like and play like”. “I always said my inspiration came from Jordan, but I always thought Jordan was so out of this world that I could never get there”.
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“We have had a couple very casual and preliminary conversations internally about this over the past few years”, TMZ quoted a Lakers spokesperson as saying.
The poem, posted hours before Bryant took the court against the Indiana Pacers, read, “This season is all I have left to give”.
James rattled off some of Bryant’s signature games and moves: his 81-point game in 2006, a game-winning shot against Phoenix, a tip dunk against in, a behind-the-back, 360-degree dunk against Denver.
Bryant, though, presumably would appreciate how James cited the Laker as an inspiration to never stop working hard. “My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye”.
As the farewell tour for Kobe Bryant gets underway, one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time doesn’t sound like he wants to stray too far away from the organization after his playing days finish at the end of this season.
“I knew I had to be better because of Kobe Bryant”, he said.
“I appreciate the really, really tough times as much as I appreciate the great times”.
“And so, there’s nothing I love more than being able to play this entire season, to go through all these tough times, to be able to suit up and play on the road, and play in these buildings for the last time, you know, I’m looking forward to that”.
James does have a single regret when it comes to Bryant.
“I knew I had to be better because of Kobe Bryant”, James said.
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“I know the world wanted to see it. I wanted it, we wanted it. He held up his end and I didn’t hold up my end, and I hate that”. It also provides reason for local fans to cherish the night – the last one in which a hometown hero shares with them. And normally what happens with me is my mind would always drift to the game.
