The recent news of Kobe Bryant retiring after this season has sent the NBA in a state of sadness. Players throughout the league having been speaking on what Kobe meant to the game of basketball, and praising one of the best players to ever play.
It was LeBron James turn to praise the Mamba and spoke on wasting an opportunity in 2009 that he regrets.
“It was kinda sad, actually. Obviously it was going to happen at some point to everybody, but to know that this is Kobe’s last year, it’s just sad man. He’s had a hell of a career,” James told reporters at shootaround Tuesday.
“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain in 2009 for the fans, for us, to meet in the Finals,” James said. “I know the world wanted to see it. I wanted it, we wanted it. He held up his end and I didn’t hold up my end, and I hate that. I hate that that didn’t happen.”
Kobe and LeBron battled for the title of the best player in the world for almost a decade in the 2000s, but what was also wasted was the great Nike ads they had in time.
Anyone remember these commercials?
These commercials only added to the hot debates between who was the best player on the planet during that time.
Kobe and LeBron’s next battle will be February 10th, circle that date on your calendar as this will be one of the last times the two greats battle.