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Lakers Assistant Goes in Detail About Similarities Between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant

By Tyler Kemp

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James matching up against each other in the 2016 All Star Game
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James matching up against each other in the 2016 All Star Game / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy has been through a lot in the NBA. He was an assistant on the 2016 Cavs that came back from 3-1 against the Warriors. He was also an assistant last year in Toronto as Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to their first title in franchise history.

Handy had a previous stint in LA from 2011-2013, where he got to work with the late Kobe Bryant. On the “Battle for LA Podcast,” Handy went into detail about what it was like coaching Bryant and now working with LeBron James on the current day Lakers.

Handy pointed to LeBron and Kobe’s work ethic and basketball IQ as the glaring similarities in their games on the court. In addition, the workmanlike attitude that both players carry when it comes to how they approach the game is very similar.

Throughout this season, Handy has worked closely with LeBron to take his game to the next level for the West-leading Lakers.

While LeBron and Kobe have different play styles on the court, their mentality is eerily similar. Being that Handy has worked with two of the greatest players of this generation, his comparison of the two carries a lot of weight.