“I was a Kobe Bryant guy”: Zach Lavine professes his love for the Lakers legend ahead of Team USA Gold medal game against Nicolas Batum and France

Zach Lavine lets it be known that he is a Kobe Bryant guy and that he wants to have every aspect of his offensive and defensive game be polished. 

The Chicago Bulls went all out during the 2021 NBA offseason to help optimize Zach Lavine while he is still in his prime. Though they did have to give up Thad Young, a veteran who meshed extremely well with guys like Lavine and Coby White, they did eventually end up with DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso. 

To add to a stellar NBA offseason, Zach Lavine has also been having incredible games for Team USA as they look to capture Gold for the 4th straight year in a row. Though he isn’t his usual, 27 point per game self, he’s made up for it by being an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor and getting out in transition for fast-breaks.

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Last year, the Bulls guard took to the BallDontStop podcast, hosted by Ekam Nagra, to talk about his drive to sharpen the sword. In doing so, he talked about Kobe Bryant. 

Zach Lavine claims he’s a Kobe Bryant guy. 

Ekam Nagra is known to be infatuated with ‘pure hoopers’ and claims that talent always finds a way to prevail. Zach Lavine is a player he’s lauded for a while and the Bulls star finally appeared on his podcast to talk about his ascension into the upper echelons of NBA guards. 

“I was a Kobe guy. I try not to have any weak parts in my game. I want to be as polished as I can be as a player. I’m trying to be a two-way player and I think I made a right step in that direction. I want to be known as one of the best players in the game, if not the best.”

 

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On several occasions, Zach Lavine has professed his admiration for the Lakers legend, claiming he was the biggest Kobe fan, while on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast. With the way his offensive game has developed and his defensive game has shined during Tokyo 2020, there’s no doubt that he’s of the Kobe Bryant mold of players.