Kobe Bryant Congratulates LeBron James for Passing Him on NBA's All-Time Scoring List With Classy Tweet

Unlike during his playing career, Kobe Bryant has been one to pay it forward in retirement. The Black Mamba was as intense of a competitor as they come during his 20 seasons of NBA basketball.

However, after LeBron James passed Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list, Kobe congratulated the King with a classy tweet.

Even better? James passed Bryant in Kobe's hometown of Philadelphia. The passing of this torch just feels right.

James and Bryant were far different players, as LeBron's tendency to defer to his teammates when necessary is deemed honorable at best, and weak at worst. Bryant, meanwhile, was a stone-cold killer that would actively ignore his teammates if necessary. Kobe's insistence that he could get the best shot at all times was right most of the time, as his five championships can tell us.

On the back nine of LeBron's career, the time is now to appreciate what we're witnessing. As with Jordan, NBA fans won't truly understand the King's greatness until he steps off the hardwood for the final time as a professional.