It appears playing with Kobe Bryant still carries some perks.
The 36-year-old Bryant, of course, has developed a reputation in his final years of being a turnoff to younger players. (Just ask Dwight Howard and Jared Dudley.) Fortunately for the Lakers, their No. 2 pick D’Angelo Russell doesn’t seem bothered.
After swishing a backward, half-court shot at the NBA’s rookie photo shoot on Saturday, Russell immediately turned to his peers and pumped his fist in an apparent tribute to Kobe. Look familiar?
One more time from @Dloading! #NBARooks @lakers https://t.co/SErxsWLLcY
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2015
The Lakers still have a long road back to title contention, but harmony between their prized young prospect and franchise icon is a good start. Russell has already expressed excitement about the prospect of teaming up with Bryant, and it seems he’s fully embracing the opportunity to soak up knowledge and insight from one of the NBA’s all-time greats.
Ben DuBose is a veteran sports reporter who has followed the Houston Rockets and the NBA since Hakeem Olajuwon was Akeem Olajuwon. He writes for both SheridanHoops and ClutchFans, an independent Rockets blog. You can follow him on Twitter.
Look familiar? Of course but with MJ (sorry Kobe, You are only a copy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaBcQoebYmk