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Lakers: LeBron James Shows Love, Respect For Kobe Bryant

Since 2003, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has always had a natural rival in the context of the NBA. LeBron James came into the fold having already been coronated as the next great in the league, but Kobe was never keen on relinquishing that title just yet.

The relationship between Bryant and James has always been one of the more fascinating inter-player relationships in the league. Not only is it two grown men working as pseudo-rivals, but it’s also two men who stand in stark contrast to one another. Kobe is the ultra-competitive, cutthroat near-sociopath (in terms of basketball, nothing more) whereas LeBron is the winner of the genetic lottery who doesn’t possess the same mentality a Kobe Bryant does.