The Golden State Warriors are undeniably the most successful team of the last decade. From being a struggling franchise, the emergence of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green trio elevated them into a championship-winning squad. While the entire world wondered if any team would cease the Warriors’ dominance, Kobe Bryant, a die-hard laker at heart, predicted the Los Angeles Lakers would end their reign. He claimed that a day would come when the gold and purples would again win a championship and respond to Golden State fans in kind.
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Bryant was the most competitive player of the 21st century. Like Michael Jordan, his instinct and obsession with winning defied all logic. But unlike Jordan, Kobe stayed loyal to the Lakers throughout his career.
Keeping the time he tried to push for a trade aside, it was clear Bryant’s heart and mind belonged to the Lakers. So, after Warriors’ 2018 championship, Bryant was so offended by the Warriors fans celebrating their team, he predicted the Lakers would soon have their revenge.
Kobe Bryant warned Warriors the Lakers’ loyals would have the last laugh
In 2018, the Golden State Warriors won their third championship in just four years. It was a time when Oracle Arena became the home of the most dominant team in the league. It was also the time Lakers saw some of their most disappointing spells.
But even as most fans doubted the return of the Lakers, Kobe was steadfast in his belief. As the greatest player the franchise had ever seen, he was honest when he warned the Golden State that their time would be up in the near future.
Even when it seemed impossible, Bryant had the absolute belief his team would make a comeback. He claimed that the Hollywood-based team would make a comeback soon and win a championship. He also suggested that the day that happened, the entire Lakers community would laugh at the faces of the Stephen Curry-led team’s fans.
Sports Illustrated shared Bryant’s comments in their article in 2018:
“We’ll be champions again before you know it. And we’ll be laughing in the faces of all those Warriors fans who came out of nowhere.”
— (@OVOLakeShow) May 3, 2023
Lakers won their 17th championship in 2020
True to Kobe’s prediction, the Lakers finally won a championship in 2020 after a decade-long wait. They also tied the Celtics’ record for the most championship. Unfortunately, Bryant couldn’t see his beloved team win the title but there is no doubt that the Lakers franchise remembered him in their moment of victory.
This season, the Warriors face Lakers in the conference semifinals. The series is looking like it will be a very tight contest. Although Kobe’s former team is currently leading 2-1, Golden State is not to be taken lightly. However, in case the Lakers bag the series, it would become another proof of Kobe’s accurate prediction.
