VIDEO: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reacts to Death of Fellow Laker Legend Kobe Bryant
By Will Coleman
The basketball world has had a busy Sunday grieving the sudden loss of former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. He had a profound effect on countless players in the league during and after his 20-year professional career, but it was a legend of the NBA's past who took it upon himself to share one of the more sincere farewell posts to Kobe: his fellow Laker luminary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
"He inspired a whole generation."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 26, 2020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflects on the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. (via @kaj33)pic.twitter.com/0ECuIbrr99
Abdul-Jabbar, the Hall of Fame center, pulled out his Lakers purple and gold to reflect on Bryant's life, playing career and personality.
Abdul-Jabbar said he remembers meeting Bryant as a child when he was just Joe Bryant's son, years before he became the Mamba. The 72-year-old was most impressed with how Kobe "inspired a whole generation of young athletes."
From one Lakers legend to another, this all comes the day after Los Angeles forward LeBron James passed up Bryant for third all-time on the league scoring list.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother ?? #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Bryant retired from the NBA in 2016, but it never felt like he had really left the sport. As one of the league's most beloved players ever, Bryant's legacy will have a lasting impact on the growth of basketball for years to come.