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Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers is one of the most well-known names in the basketball game. An icon of the sport and a legend in the truest sense, Kobe Bryant was an inspiration to an entire generation of basketball fans.
Bryant spent his entire career with the Laker franchise. Drafted in 1996 with one of the most talented draft classes of all time, Kobe rose to the top through sheer grit and manic work ethic. With a competitive drive that put him on par with Michael Jordan and a feel for the game that made him a spectacle to watch, Kobe Bryant is consistently in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
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Kobe Bryant's illustrious career came to an end in 2016. On the eve of his final game, he gave the fans the performance of a lifetime. Dropping 60 points and a win against the Utah Jazz, Kobe just continued to add chapters to his already great legacy as a player.
As Michael Jordan passed the torch to Kobe, he did the same and shared his mentality with many players in the new era. In this article, we take a look at five players who can emulate the late LA Laker legend, Kobe Bryant.
#1 Devin Booker
Devin Booker is perhaps the closest thing to Kobe Bryant on this list. From the way he plays the game to his competitive mentality, Devin Booker is almost a spitting image of Kobe.
Devin Booker's game features smooth footwork and efficiency in the mid-post. Consistently knowing how to get to his spot on the floor, Booker only uses a few moves that are highly effective. Whether it involves lulling the defender to sleep using jab steps or a quick crossover into a fadeaway jumper, Booker has an elite offensive skill set.
However, what truly makes him the closest thing to Kobe Bryant is his mentality. He shows no signs of complacency with a lead on hand. Devin Booker is an assassin. That drive to take over games and dominate when it's most necessary is what makes him the closest thing to Kobe.
#2 Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz is one of the most exciting players to watch on the court. With his dazzling display of offensive prowess and his ability to perform under clutch situations, Mitchell tends to remind audiences a little of what it felt like to watch Kobe Bryant play.
Although Mitchell has mentioned the Miami Heat legend, Dwyane Wade was his inspiration while growing up, there are certain aspects to his game that mirror that of the Laker legend.
Donovan Mitchell always shows up on the big stage. When the game needs him to be great, he rises to the occasion. During his 2021 NBA Playoff campaign with the Jazz, he seemed virtually unstoppable.
Although the Jazz would lose to the LA Clippers in seven games, Mitchell would put up extraordinary numbers. He averaged 32.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the playoffs.
His duel against Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray in the NBA Bubble was one of the most intense matchups in recent years. Both players were playing at the highest level of their offensive potential. Although Murray would come out on top in game seven, Mitchell showed signs of greatness and much to look forward to.
Also Read: Kobe Bryant’s net worth, salary, endorsements and more
#3 Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray is also a name that comes to mind when thinking of players who could emulate Kobe Bryant. Playing for the Denver Nuggets, Jamal Murray shows all the makings of a superstar.
Murray's style of play is more reminiscent of the guards of the modern NBA. His game features the ability to quickly create space off the dribble on the perimeter and a reliable shot from deep. Murray has also shown sparks of athleticism with some impressive acrobatic finishes while going to the basket.
However, what makes him resemble Kobe isn't his play style. Much like Donovan Mitchell, Murray possesses the heart of a champion. The desire to compete and win under all circumstances shows in the desperation with which he plays in crunch time.
Playing with ferocious intensity and a serious chip on his shoulder, Jamal Murray is one of the players who could emulate the Laker legend.
#4 Anthony Edwards
Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony Edwards has shown signs of being one of the most exciting young prospects in the NBA.
Edwards' game style is a perfect blend of controlled dribbling and explosive athleticism. He has the makings of a solid offensive player in the league. While isn't afraid of shooting the long ball, there is room for improvement.
However, his drive to the basket gives a sense of a potential highlight reel play. Using his strong frame, he takes up the challenge against bigger defenders when trying to finish over them.
Edwards showed sparks of star potential coming off of a great rookie season. When given the green light to score, Edwards set a career-high of 42 points twice. He approaches defenders in isolation situations with a vicious intent to score.
This desire to score and the competitive nature of his play is very reminiscent of Kobe Bryant early in his career.
The intensity and sheer excitement that Anthony Edwards presents when he's playing shows a lot of promise for the future.
#5 Jalen Green
Jalen Green was drafted second overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft. Green is an extremely gifted scorer who shows sparks of what a young Kobe Bryant used to be like.
While very early in his career, having never played a game in the NBA, Green played in the NBA G-League instead of going to college after high school. Jalen Green averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in the NBA G-League.
Factoring in the physicality, Green had an impressive run with the Ignite squad.
Green's game revolves around his athleticism. His impressive jumping ability combined with his body control allows him to alter his position midair to open up a better angle to score. Although his shooting from deep isn't an impressive trait, his nature to get hot in a hurry shows potential for improvement in the future.
With a knack for scoring in bunches and showing up to perform in big games, Jalen Green shows all the signs of being an interesting prospect from this year's draft class.
While comparing him to Kobe this early in his career does seem like a stretch, given his performances in the NBA Summer League, there is room for him to grow into that comparison.
