As Kobe Bryant fielded questions ahead of his 15th and final game at the United Center, the Lakers legend had an air of nostalgia recalling the first time he set foot inside the house that Michael built.
“When I came to the league and matched up against him, I found that he was extremely open to having a relationship, a mentor relationship,” Bryant said before the Bulls (29-26) beat the Lakers 126-115, dropping Los Angeles to 11-46.
“So if I was fortunate enough to come here, if that trade had happened, it’s not a pressure situation to live up to what he’s done.
It’s more like can I carry on his legacy?
Can I do it justice?
Can I represent Chicago the way that it should be represented in his honor?”