LeBron James and Kobe Bryant made plans to break bread after he signed in 2018. It kept being put off. In @YahooSports exclusive with LeBron, reveals questions he had for Kobe, Kobe’s text, trying to win over Laker faithful and calling game before Game 5: https://t.co/gnXQS28Q1D
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 27, 2020
When he announced he was signing with the Lakers in the summer of 2018, the late, great Kobe Bryant and James had plans to break bread and discuss the ins and outs of Los Angeles, the Lakers franchise and what would be expected of him upon his arrival, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Due to the conflicting and chaotic schedules of each superstar, the two could never establish a firm date. Each time they came across one another, the meeting was brought up, but it kept getting put on the backburner.
It’s something that still bothers James to this day.
“Of course, you think there’s going to be time for us to get together and I understand that there are regrets in life, but I definitely wish I had that moment with him,” James told Yahoo Sports. “I do remember when I decided to come here, he sent me a text right away and said, ‘Welcome, brother. Welcome to the family.’ That was a special moment because at the time, Laker faithful wasn’t [fully in on me]. A lot of people were saying, ‘Well, we might not want LeBron at this point in his career,’ and, ‘Is he right? Is he going to get us back [to the Finals]?’ So to hear from him and get his stamp of approval, it meant a lot. I don’t ever question myself, but when it’s coming from Kobe, it definitely meant a lot.”
At the time, they were arguably two of the busiest athletes in the world and free time wasn’t always available, even while they were residing in the same area. Said James: “We have to remember not to take life and people for granted,” and he expressed how it’s important to slow things down every now and then.
Great story from Chris Haynes that reminded me of an interview with Keyshawn were he was asked when LeBron James became a Laker in his mind and what he would have to do be become a Lakers great.
Key’s answer to the second question was win the Lakers’ 17th NBA championship, to which I wholeheartedly agree, but it was his answer to the first question that resonated most to me because he said it was when LeBron threw away his prepared words during the Lakers’ tribute to Kobe and spoke from the heart, welcomely taking on the mantle of responsibilities for the Lakers’ franchise that Kobe had shouldered for so many years. That’s when LeBron became a Laker in my eyes and mind.
I’m not a religious person but what happens after we die is something you ponder more as you get older and mortality stares you in the face. I’d like to believe that Kobe’s up there smiling and rooting LeBron and the Lakers to win their 17th NBA championship. And that he and LeBron will someday have that conversation on the other side.
I wanna be there when they do!
Before he came to LA, I regarded Lebron much the same as all the other great non-Lakers; no matter the talent, he played for the competition, and was a threat, not an idol. And when it became a possibility of becoming a Laker, I had my doubts, as did many others.
I must say now it is one of the highlights of my Lakerfan journey to discover that as great a player he is, he’s an even better man.