Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ up-and-down season, former purple and gold player Kobe Bryant offered encouraging words to the team and its newcomer, LeBron James.
On an episode of ESPN’s Get Up with Mike Greenberg, Bryant said the string of injuries plagued the West Coast franchise. “It’s unfortunate because they got hit with so many injuries in rapid succession,” he said. “When they were rolling they were playing very well, exceeding people’s expectations. Then they got hit with all these injuries, kind of set them back, knocked them off of kilter a little bit. It’s hard to reboot that.”
“Seasons like this are what make the championships worth it.”
–@kobebryant on LeBron and the Lakers pic.twitter.com/RyqA6myggd
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 20, 2019
Greenberg then went on to ask if the 20-year vet has any advice to offer James, who joined the legendary franchise in 2018. “Oh, you just got to keep pushing,” Bryant said honestly. “Seasons like this are what make the championships worth it.”
Much like James’ experience with the Lakers, Bryant missed the 2005 playoffs after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Finals the year before. Injuries and fluctuating rosters caused them to lack focus. However, the Lakers did make their way back into the playoffs that following year.