Few players have left a more enduring legacy than the late great Kobe Bryant. His incredible work ethic and elite mentality has shaped the attitude of several hoopers around the globe. Furthermore, Kobe Bryant serves as a beacon of inspiration for numerous children around the world, particularly those residing in the Los Angeles area. One such individual is the Los Angeles Lakers’ newest recruit, Spencer Dinwiddie.

During a recent episode of the Point Game podcast with former NBA player John Wall, Dinwiddie delved into the significant impact Kobe Bryant had on him during his developmental years. He said, “For me being a Kobe fan was kind of just like part of it. He started in 96, I was born in 93. I started playing basketball around line four or five. So, the fact you’re an LA guy, it’s Lakers everything, it just was a natural marriage in that sense. There didn’t have to be a moment. It was like you locked onto your team from the city, Kobe is the guy. So it was just natural.”

Spencer Dinwiddie, who’s a boyhood Lakers’ fan, joined the Lakers on 12th February after the trade deadline. Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Spencer Dinwiddie has averaged 6.7 points, 2.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 25 minutes of playing time. While his stats aren’t eye-popping, his efficiency from downtown has made him an integral part of the Lakers’ roster. Currently, he boasts an impressive 3-point shooting percentage of 38.6% across his 19 appearances for the team.

The 30-year-old Dinwiddie has witnessed reduced playing time as father time has slowly caught up with him. However, just a couple of seasons ago, Dinwiddie was in contention for an All-Star spot, with his idol Kobe Bryant agreeing with that assessment.

Kobe Bryant surprised Spencer Dinwiddie back in 2019

On 19th December, 2019, Spencer Dinwiddie played the game of his career against the Atlanta Hawks. Dinwiddie scored 39 points, along with 6 assists and 6 rebounds during the game. His performance received widespread praise, but he wasn’t prepared for what Kobe Bryant did next. After the game, Kobe approached Dinwiddie and expressed that Dinwiddie “was playing like an All-Star.”

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Dinwiddie wasn’t able to maintain his composure when his idol unexpectedly made such a remark. During a post-match interview, a visibly emotional Dinwiddie expressed his feelings. He said, “For him to tell me that in his book I’m an All-Star…for him to say that, I didn’t need to be selected anymore, because I was an All-Star.” With Dinwiddie now representing the Lakers, he would want to leave an indelible mark on the franchise, like Kobe Bryant did during his illustrious career.