Top NBA Draft Prospects Reveals Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant as the Biggest Inspiration

Kobe Bryant was more than just a basketball player. He had an everlasting impact on the up-and-coming talents of the NBA. For these upcoming talents, the 2020 NBA Draft will take place on November 18. Draft prospects R.J. Hampton and Saddiq Bey recently spoke about their inspiration from the NBA.

R.J. Hampton said, “I’ll probably say Kobe. He has been biggest inspiration of my life. Just watching him play and be a great person, a great dad, a great husband, all that kind of stuff. He was the best.”

Kobe’s story in the league was inspirational. He entered the league as a high school prospect and retired as an NBA legend with five championships to his name. Saddiq Bey revealed that Kobe’s fifth championship was his favorite memory while growing up.

Kobe won the fifth and final championship of his career back in 2010. This was his second championship in two consecutive years, which made it more special. After this fabulous championship run, Kobe started to slow down due to recurring injury issues. Had he been completely healthy in the final years of his career, he might have had a shot at winning another title.

The impact of Kobe Bryant on the Lakers

When Kobe passed away in a tragic helicopter crash, it left the entire world in shock. But over time, players and fans coped with this devastating loss. The Los Angeles Lakers were even on a mission to win it all this year for Kobe.

The Lakers fulfilled their promise and bought the NBA trophy back to Staples Center. But many fans believe the job will only be finished when the Lakers win a couple more rings in memory of Kobe.

Next season, it will once again fall upon the shoulders of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to carry the team, unless they get a third-star player to share the burden off of the dynamic duo.

Regardless of that, there is one goal for the purple and gold – to win it for Kobe. Can they accomplish this task once again? Or will they be dethroned from their title?