Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reveals Impact Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant Had on Him

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured the NBA MVP and is leading his team to a potential NBA title, powered in part by the lasting legacy of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the NBA, proficiently scores from all over the court, and defends solidly.

He is the focal point of the Thunder offense, generating points from continuous pick and rolls, along with jump shots.

He can finish at a high level and possesses a deadly mid-range jumper — a lost art in the modern NBA game.

Funnily enough, Bryant was one of the last masters of the mid-range, specializing in hitting contested shots accompanied by excellent footwork and a killer turnaround jump shot.

Gilgeous-Alexander is currently in the NBA Finals, playing at the grandest stage in basketball, and during a media session with reporters, he revealed what impact Bryant had on his game.

"That's probably my favorite player of all time. Never got the chance to meet him," he said about Bryant.

"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. But he was a special talent, special person, and God rest his soul."