On the latest episode of Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George’s podcast, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson shared his favorite moment with Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Thompson grew up a Lakers fan, so Bryant was his favorite player as a kid.
“One time for the NBA global games in 2013, I can’t sleep because of jetlag and all,” Thompson said. “So I go up to the weight room and I’m on the dumbbell bench and somebody taps me on the shoulder and I look up and I’m like, ‘Oh damn!.’ It was Kobe, hood on, shades on. I’m like I can’t believe I’m in the same gym as this man. He just goes, ‘Sup,’ shakes my hand and goes to the other side of the gym and starts doing his workout.
“And then to hear him tell that same story in 2016 on his retirement tour like, ‘Yeah, I knew Klay would be good when I saw him in the weight room and he was the only guy there, that’s the stuff that impresses me.’ So when I heard him say that, that’s all I needed to hear. If I keep doing what I’m doing, I’m gonna fulfill my NBA potential. That was my favorite memory with Kobe. It was one word. All he said was, ‘Sup,’ but just to know I was on that Mamba mentality with him, it was a dream come true.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Bryant tragically passed away in January 2020 in a helicopter crash. The Hall of Famer is universally recognized as the greatest and most popular player in Lakers history.
One of the best players in NBA history, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 1,346 regular-season games with the Lakers. He was an 18-time All-Star, five-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star Game MVP, two-time Finals MVP, two-time scoring champion, 15-time All-NBA Team member, 12-time All-Defensive Team member and the 2007-08 MVP.
Bryant is fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He scored 33,643 points during his legendary career. The Black Mamba put up 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors during the 2005-06. It’s the second-highest scoring output in a game in NBA history.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals during the Bryant era. Bryant won three rings with Shaquille O’Neal and two with Pau Gasol. The Lakers retired both of Kobe’s numbers (8 and 24) after he retired in 2016.
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