“Watching Kobe Bryant, I was just in awe”: LeBron James reveals how he felt playing against the Lakers legend for the first time in his career

Lakers’ forward LeBron James shares his emotions from the first time he played against Kobe Bryant as a Cavs rookie in 2004.

It has almost been a year since Kobe Bryant passed away. He left this Earth on 26th January 2020, and everyone is reminiscing their times with Kobe. As the Lakers beat the Bucks 113-106, a reporter took the chance to ask LeBron about one of his moments with Kobe.

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Kobe Bryant is probably one of the more influential basketball players. He inspired a lot of people with his mentality, his toughness, and his sharp work ethic. Making the jump straight from high-school to the NBA, Kobe was an inspiration to a lot of young players who wanted to do the same. LeBron James was one of them.

“I was just in awe”: LeBron James on the first time he matched up against Kobe Bryant

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have had a lot of epic duels in their times on the court together. They always brought their best whenever they took the court, but especially against each other. When asked about his favorite matchup with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James said it was the first time they faced off in the NBA.

It was back in 2004, and LeBron James was just a rookie. To face one of your idols is always an overwhelming feeling, and to do so when you’re just 20, is a whole different experience altogether. LeBron remembers how he had a whole collage of Kobe posters on his wall, and how he admired him.

“He was on my wall…being out on the floor with him was like a sense of awe.” @KingJames reflects on the first time he faced off with Kobe Bryant in the NBA. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/KgfnuZdTX4

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 22, 2021

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Even though the first matchup was brief and Kobe had to exit the game due to a shoulder injury, LeBron still considers it as one of his favorites. That was back when LeBron was in the Cavs.

LeBron now plays for the Lakers and brought them their 17th title a few months ago. They look to make the number 18, as the Lakers improved their roster considerably over the off-season.