The league’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, had plenty of praise for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant during the Finals.
Few former players have a more lasting impact on the league currently than Kobe Bryant. Despite the number of players who have played with him dwindling, the current generation grew up watching his prime and have helped carry on his legacy.
Prominent among that group is league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who spoke about Kobe with the media between Game 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals.
Shai on Kobe: “That’s probably my favorite player of all time. Never got the chance to meet him. His influence has gone through the roof because of the competitor and the basketball player that he was. Hopefully I’m somewhere close to that as a basketball player one day. pic.twitter.com/6ofNAhUnD5
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 7, 2025
If you were like me and surprised to see how highly SGA thinks of Kobe, then do I have some news for you because Shai has been on the record before saying something way wilder.
Kobe Bryant is Michael Jordan on steroids is one of the more insane takes I’ve heard in some time. And that it came from one of the most elite basketball players in the world makes it all the more hilarious.
This is typically the point that I start calling SGA a #FutureLaker but that one doesn’t seem too likely. While he is set to become a free agent next summer as things stand, it feels remarkably unlikely he does anything but sign a huge contract with the Thunder.
The Luka Dončić trade skewed the perception of what is likely or not. But even this one feels like a bridge too far.
Instead, he’ll simply join Jayson Tatum in players not on the Lakers who are Kobe fans who would likely rather be in LA.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.