{"id":258896,"date":"2026-02-18T11:25:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T19:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakersnation.com\/?p=258896"},"modified":"2026-02-18T12:32:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T20:32:21","slug":"lakers-news-suns-devin-booker-misses-kobe-bryant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakersnation.com\/lakers-news-suns-devin-booker-misses-kobe-bryant\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers News: Suns’ Devin Booker Misses Kobe Bryant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant is one of the most influential figures in the game of basketball and sports in general as his mindset and competitive spirit defined his illustrious 20-year career.<\/p>\n

Bryant was known for being a ruthless competitor on the court, stopping at nothing to gain any sort of advantage over opponents. Kobe also seemed immune to pain as he played through numerous injuries, sacrificing his body in the hopes of winning basketball games.<\/p>\n

His tragic death over six years ago struck the world at its core as he seemed destined for great things even after his playing days ended. Bryant influenced generations of basketball players including Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, who idolized the Lakers legend.<\/p>\n

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend just wrapped and brands like Nike paid homage to Bryant<\/a> given that the festivities were held in Los Angeles. Booker also reflected on his relationship with Bryant and what he means to the game of basketball.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all miss Kobe, he\u2019s had a lasting impact on this league, and on all of our lives in a way that can\u2019t be described. Everybody in this building has felt his presence and understands the magnitude of what he\u2019s done for this game,\u201d Booker said.<\/p>\n

Bryant’s willingness to do whatever it took to win is something that is hard to find in today’s game, though players like Booker do a great job paying homage to the Black Mamba. For example, Booker accepted a lesser role on the 2024 Olympics team acting as one of the team’s primary perimeter defenders. It echoed Bryant’s stint with USA Basketball where he happily accepted the challenge of guarding an opposing team’s best perimeter player.<\/p>\n

It’s truly sad that Kobe is gone as he would have been a wealth of knowledge for the generation of basketball players looking to make their mark. Shades of Bryant’s play style and personality come out in players like Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama, two of the league’s brightest stars who value competing at the highest levels.<\/p>\n

The game of basketball continues to grow and evolve, and Bryant is a large reason why it’s in the position it is today.<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards hopes to follow in Kobe Bryant’s footsteps<\/h2>\n

The new All-Star Game format was a resounding success as the players competed in each game. Anthony Edwards came away with the All-Star Game MVP and said he wanted to follow in Kobe Bryant’s footsteps<\/a> by winning more in the future.<\/p>\n

If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant is one of the most influential figures in the game of basketball and sports in general as his mindset and competitive spirit defined his illustrious 20-year career. Bryant was known for being a ruthless competitor on the court, stopping at nothing to gain any sort of advantage over opponents. 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