Retired Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was arguably the most famous and notable player in the NBA from the mid-to-late-2000s, leading to countless future players growing up idolizing him, including future Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Now Embiid is one of the NBA’s most promising young players, averaging 23.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.2 assist this season for the Sixers. On some level, it’s hard to see what he’s taken from Bryant’s game.
The two aren’t similar players, with Embiid standing several inches and weighing much more than Bryant while playing a far different position. They also have different personalities, with Embiid much more ebullient on and off the floor than Bryant, who could only be described as happy in the way he happily shot menacing glares all over the court.