Anthony Davis has been a key player for the Los Angeles Lakers since joining the team in 2019. He played a pivotal role in helping the Lakers secure their last NBA title in 2020. However, one significant aspect of his career is that he never had the opportunity to play alongside Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who retired from the NBA in 2016. Despite this, Davis developed a strong friendship with Bryant while representing the United States national team.
For Davis, Kobe Bryant was more than just a legend; he was a perfect mentor and on-court hero. Bryant’s work ethic and competitive spirit deeply influenced Davis, who often sought advice from the late superstar.
Recently, a video of Davis went viral, which proved his admiration for Bryant. In the clip, after sinking a game-winning three-pointer during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Davis yelled, “Kobe!” What’s more to it was the Lakers were sporting their Mamba edition jerseys that day.
The game was crucial for the Lakers, as the victory gave them a 2-0 series lead with a close score of 105-103. Davis, who recently garnered attention for his unexpected behavior towards a fan, had an outstanding performance against the Nuggets. He finished the game with 31 points, shooting 11 for 23 from the field and making all seven of his free throws.
Anthony Davis Reflects on His Dream of Playing with Kobe Bryant
Bryant played 20 years, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Anthony Davis was not part of that era. During a press conference last year, Davis opened up about his admiration for Bryant and expressed what it would have meant for him to play alongside the Lakers icon.
“I know he always talked about how he loved playing with me and against me in the Olympics [at practice] and seeing how much I’ve grown as a player,” Davis said.
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“He could only imagine what it would be like now. But [he] never actually came out and said, ‘I would like for you to be on the Lakers with me.’ Which would have been a dream, to be honest,” he added.
Despite not playing together in the NBA, the bond Davis and Mamba shared remains a significant part of Davis’s career.
Also Read: How Much Is Anthony Davis’ Car Collection Worth? A Look At Los Angeles Lakers Star’s Garage.
