Stop comparing NBA players to Kobe Bryant

 

In Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum chose to wear a Lakers purple and gold armband with the number 24 on it, as an homage to his favourite player Kobe Bryant and to channel the Hall of Famer's skill during the final game of the series.

The Celtics went on to win the series and Tatum was awarded with the inaugural Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award.

Tatum has always been open about his love and admiration for the late Laker. This isn’t even the first time he’s worn Bryant’s armband during a game. He also wore it in the NBA bubble during a match against the Philadelphia 76ers.

However, since this most recent show of appreciation for the late Bryant, American sports channel ESPN have been consistently and shamelessly made unnecessary connections between the young Celtics stars and the 5-time NBA champion.

On the fifth of June, ESPN posted a picture on Twitter of both Bryant and Tatum wearing Boston Celtics practice gear and falsely suggested that this was another homage to the Laker. In reality, they were both wearing the branded Celtics workout gear that they were supposed to wear during practice.

This was also posted on NBA on ESPN’s YouTube community tab and received a slew of comments from basketball fans, who both criticised ESPN for forcibly making the comparison as well as insisting that Tatum is “doing too much” by trying to emulate Kobe Bryant.

Unfortunately, since Bryant’s untimely death comparisons have too often been made between him and the star players who are open about their idolisation of the superstar.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is another player that gets inundated with Kobe comparisons. Most often it is his online critics telling him that he doesn’t embody the Mamba mentality and should stop trying to copy the Lakers shooting guard.

Booker has spoken out about the comparison during the 2021-2022 regular season, explaining during a post-game interview, ‘The only problem I have is people still comparing me to Kobe Bryant when I told them in the playoffs, 'Stop bringing up Mamba mentality.' I'm inspired by Kobe Bryant and Mamba mentality, but I am not Kobe Bryant.’

The constant comparison to Bryant must be emotionally troubling for every NBA player it is placed upon. For one, Kobe Bryant’s death was untimely so those who loved him a most likely are still trying to come to terms with it. This must be terribly difficult for players to do, especially if his name is constantly being attached to theirs in either a positive and negative light.

Unfortunately, knowing sports fans and American sports media, Booker’s request will fall on death ears. The comparisons will be used as ammunition by Suns haters and give news corporations a reason to include the former Kentucky guard in their headlines.

 With the things Kobe Bryant accomplished in the NBA- five NBA championships, 18 time All-Star, tenth on NBA 75th Anniversary Team -I would more surprised if he wasn’t beloved in the NBA. I'm certain that he has had some sort of influence on hundreds of NBA players, but it seems Tatum and Booker are inundated with comparisons the most because they are considered star players.

The exploitation of their love for Bryant may be one of the many reasons players don’t share much information with the media and prefer to use generic answers. As with everything else they say, it will get twisted, turned, and used against them.

If an All-Star NBA player’s request goes unanswered, I assume that mine will have even less of an impact but please stop comparing NBA players to the late great Kobe Bryant. Let them develop as players and grieve his death independently.