Kobe Bryant earned his place in history as an unforgettable performer. His legacy lives on in the NBA today through the talents of a few special players.
Among the criticisms that nit-picking NBA fans and media bestowed upon Kobe Bryant, one that I never understood was the allegation that the Los Angeles Lakers legend was a “copycat” of Michael Jordan — as if that was a bad thing.
First of all, if you’re going to model your style of play after someone, it’s a good idea to model it after someone who is widely considered the greatest player the NBA has ever seen. Kobe Bryant, whose death in a helicopter accident on Jan. 26 shocked the world and transcended sports, was never shy in expressing his adoration of Jordan as a role model.
Second, there are only so many things a person can do on a basketball court. Hardly anything is wholly original, meaning almost everything is copied or borrowed or stolen from a predecessor.
Finally, considering the countless number of young men and women who aspired to “be like Mike,” the fact that Kobe Bryant did it so well and got so close to the holy grail is a testament to his greatness. To say Kobe was a Jordan clone should be a compliment, not an insult.
Just like Jordan influenced him, Kobe Bryant has influenced a generation of players — some of whom are currently shining in the NBA this season.
While there is no one in the league who is an exact replica of Kobe, there are some stars who have pieces of Kobe’s game in theirs. They are the ones who carry on the legacy of Kobe, who retired in 2016 and will posthumously enter the Basketball Hall of Fame with the 2020 class.
In honor of the man whose No. 8 jersey (and No. 24 jersey) hangs in the rafters at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, here are eight current NBA players who will remind you of Kobe Bryant this season.