8 NBA players who will remind you of Kobe Bryant this season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers share a laugh during their game at Staples Center on January 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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4. Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)

If you squint your eyes, Zach LaVine is probably the NBA player who will remind you of Kobe Bryant the most from a pure form and aesthetic standpoint.

The 24-year-old shooting guard — who wears No. 8 and grew up modeling his game after Kobe — fits the physical profile of a young Kobe Bryant at 6’6″ and about 180 pounds. When you watch him shoot, drive, finish, and just move on the court, you can see some of Kobe in there.

LaVine is averaging 24.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season, leading a young Bulls team that is within reach of a playoff spot in the East.

LaVine has a Kobe-like knack for filling it up quickly and going on scoring binges.

He’s had four games of 40-plus points through Tuesday’s schedule, and three of them happened within a 15-day stretch last month.

Similar to Kobe, LaVine entered the league as a teenager regarded more for his athleticism than anything else. He won back-to-back All-Star Weekend dunk contests as a backup for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but since then has continued honing his skills as a complete ballplayer who should receive All-Star recognition down the road.