Kobe Bryant is one of the most influential players of all time. Like Michael Jordan before him, multiple players have tried to mold their game to his, replicating his moves and trying to embrace his mindset as well.
Needless to say, there will never be another Kobe Bryant. His uniqueness transcended the basketball hardwood. He was a one-of-a-kind competitor and his determination was unmatched.
But if we were to talk solely about basketball, I think it’s safe to say that there are some players out there that have some shades of Kobe Bryant in them.
That’s also what Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue feels, as he recently talked about the similarities that both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have with the deceased legend:
“I think with Kawhi, just the mid-range. With PG just the build and athleticism… Couple things are the same, but there’s a lot of differences as well,” Tyronn Lue said, as quoted by Farbod Esnaashari of Sports Illustrated.
Ty Lue on similarities Kawhi Leonard & Paul George have with Kobe Bryant:
"I think with Kawhi, just the mid range. With PG just the build and athleticism… Couple things are the same, but there's a lot of differences as well."
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) May 7, 2021
Paul George, like Kobe Bryant, is one of the most athletic players in the world; so I can see where Lue is coming from. When it comes to Kawhi Leonard’s offensive package, he’s definitely mastered the art of the mid-range and the turnaround fadeaway shot, just like the Black Mamba did throughout his career.
Then again, perhaps the most important thing from Kobe’s legacy is exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers are lacking right now, as they’ve been known for crumbling to the pressure and underperforming when it matters the most.
Hopefully, this will be the year that the Clippers will finally get over the hump and show some of that desired Mamba Mentality in the playoffs, as they’re just too talented not to make a deep run and reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
