Devin Booker Shockingly Irritated by Constant Kobe Bryant Comparisons: “I’m Inspired by Kobe and Mamba Mentality but I’m Not Kobe Bryant”

Published 01/15/2022, 10:30 AM EST

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns is having a phenomenal season. Booker recently became only the 7th youngest player to cross 10,000 career points while playing against Oklahoma City Thunder. The list contains some big names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant.

NBA fans have often associated Devin Booker with being the perfect embodiment of Bryant’s ‘Mamba Mentality’. More so after he passed 10,000 career points. A recent incident involving him and the Toronto Raptors mascot led to people hating on Booker, and he has finally addressed the issue. Take a look.

Devin Booker addresses the Kobe Bryant comparisons

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When asked about the hate he got for his incident regarding the Raptors, Booker gave his opinions. According to him, the only thing which worries him is the Kobe Bryant comparisons.

After the mascot incident, Booker got a lot of hate from Kobe fans which led to Booker clearing the air around the Bryant comparisons.

I asked Devin Booker about the hate he got online for the fun with The Raptor.
Only problem he has with the online discourse is being compared to Kobe Bryant or hearing Mamba Mentality attached to him.
“I’m inspired by Kobe Bryant and Mamba Mentality but I am not Kobe Bryant.” pic.twitter.com/cigcypZSCq
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 15, 2022

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What led to the hate from Bryant fans?

The Phoenix Suns played the Toronto Raptors when Booker was awarded free throws. The arena was practically empty other than some exceptions.

After converting one of his free throws, Booker went on to complain about the Mascot distracting him to the ref. This incident led to a lot of criticism on the internet. Kobe fans especially had mentioned how Bryant would never have done something like this. Take a look at the incident.

Devin Booker upset that the Raptors mascot, the only fan in the building, is behind the hoop distracting him with the game on the line. Refs send him to timeout in the corner. pic.twitter.com/F9zLGPPD5D
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 12, 2022

Why is Booker compared to Kobe?

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All the comparisons with Bryant started back in 2016. Before Kobe’s last game in the league, a young Booker received a pair of Nike Kobe 11 sneakers with the words, “Be Legendary” written on them.

Ever since Kobe’s death in 2020, DBook has been rocking Kobe Bryant sneakers which led fans to compare him to Kobe Bryant.

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Do you think Devin Booker will attain Kobe Bryant’s level? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Abhinava is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication. Abhinava has been following NBA for the past 6 years and is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry.

Devin Booker Shockingly Irritated by Constant Kobe Bryant Comparisons: “I’m Inspired by Kobe and Mamba Mentality but I’m Not Kobe Bryant”

Devin Booker addresses the Kobe Bryant comparisons

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What led to the hate from Bryant fans?

Why is Booker compared to Kobe?