LeBron James Reflects on His Greatest Regret About Kobe Bryant
For the first time since Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA title in 2010, LeBron James has brought the team back into contention. The Lakers are on the verge of winning their first NBA championship with LeBron, although Kobe Bryant did not play a part in the team’s 2010 victory.
With just four games left to win, the Lakers are poised to secure the championship, potentially concluding one of the most challenging and demanding seasons in NBA history. This season has seen Bryant’s untimely death, a global pandemic, and months-long protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
Speaking with reporters last week after the Lakers’ victory in the Western Conference Championship, James reflected on his two years with the team and a missed opportunity to have a private meeting with Bryant shortly after joining the Lakers. Unfortunately, their schedules never aligned to make it happen.
James expressed his regret to Yahoo Sports, acknowledging that life is full of uncertainties, and he had hoped for more time to connect with Bryant. Despite the initial skepticism from some Lakers fans about James’ joining in 2018, he was grateful for Bryant’s warm welcome to Los Angeles.
“I remember that he texted me right away to say hello and welcome as a sibling as soon as I decided to come here. ‘You are welcomed by family,’ the 35-year-old said. ‘The Laker faithful was not fully in on me at the time, so that was an exceptional occasion.’ Many people questioned if I was the right fit or if I could lead us to the Finals again.”
Though they never faced off in the NBA Finals, James and Bryant were considered friendly rivals throughout their careers. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to three straight championships in the early 2000s, and the team won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the heavily favored Golden State Warriors in 2016, the year Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA. James also guided the Miami Heat to two championships in 2012 and 2013.
“Since I lived 35 minutes outside of Cleveland during my playing career, I had some familiarity with the locals. I was lucky enough to get the blueprint for that from [Dwyane Wade] when I was in Miami,” James shared. “Despite never having played for a legendary team like the Lakers, it’s like when Alex Rodriguez signed with the Yankees. Derek Jeter probably told him what was required to perform for that crowd, unlike playing for the Mariners or Rangers.”
“Knowing what it takes to win over the Laker faithful and how to make them appreciate my game would have been amazing,” James added. “It would have been a good opportunity to pick his brain.”
James also lamented that, although they came close in 2009, he and Bryant never faced each other in a championship match. “After that, you’d probably guess our paths would never cross in the Finals. I sincerely apologize to him. It would have made for an engaging discussion, recalling my 2009 loss to Dwight [Howard]. Let’s be clear: we did not grant the people their wishes. Our behavior did not satisfy their needs.”
James and the Lakers are set to play the Miami Heat in the first game of the NBA Finals on ABC on Wednesday night.
