Home

NBA

After Returning to City of His 1.59 Million Fans, NBA’s ‘The Answer’ Gets an Overwhelming Kobe Bryant Surprise

Published 09/03/2023, 8:30 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

Recently, this NBA legend shared his trip to a city where he has a massive fan following. The 6’0 guard spent the first 10 years of his career in the city of 1.59 million. The 48-year-old Hall of Famer shared his interaction with the fans on his Instagram account. Among them, one fan stood out for paying respects to beloved NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Interestingly, Kobe’s city of birth is where the 6-foot guard spend most of his career.

When The Answer returned to the City of Brotherly Love, the excitement was contagious. His fans eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of the NBA veteran.

Allen Iverson’s sweet homecoming to Philadelphia

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The 1st pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Allen Iverson joined the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played until 2006. Among all the fans who visited the legend on his visit, one stood out with a special tribute to Kobe Bryant.

Wearing a shirt that bore Iverson’s own words, “To the Mamba… You brought so much out of me like no other player has…There will never, ever be another Kobe Bryant. I love you, bro, and good luck to you,” the fan paid homage to the late Lakers legend.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

These words come from the letter that Allen Iverson wrote after the world lost Philadelphia-native Kobe Bryant. The fan highlighted the love of Iverson for the late NBA legend.

AI and his letter to Kobe Bryant

The letter shares their fierce on-court battles and deep mutual respect. Iverson remembered the first time he witnessed Kobe in action against Michael Jordan at just 18 years old.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He shared stories of their competitive spirit, recounting how Kobe’s commitment to excellence inspired him to push himself harder. Even off the court, Kobe’s work ethic was legendary, as he would regularly choose the gym over nightlife.

via Imago

Their rivalry wasn’t driven by animosity but by admiration and love for the game. Iverson vividly recalled their 2001 NBA Finals showdown, emphasizing the respect they held for each other. Iverson always praised Kobe Bryant. He confessed that while Michael Jordan will always be the greatest, Kobe Bryant was a close second. The Answer praised Kobe’s toughness and the way he pushed Iverson to be his best.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He recounted iconic moments like the 81-point game and championship celebrations, reminding everyone of The Black Mamba‘s legacy. Allen Iverson expressed his disbelief that Kobe Bryant was no longer with us but reassured readers that Kobe’s memories would forever live on.

Watch this story: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Nischal Bahuguna

63Articles

One take at a time

Nischal Bahuguna is an NBA author at EssentiallySports, with a deep passion for sports and writing. He is an NBA enthusiast and a seasoned basketball player. With over two years of professional writing experience, Nischal seamlessly blends his interests and skills to excel in his craft.
Show More>