Kobe Bryant Said LeBron Is Playing ‘With A Chip On His Shoulder’

Lakers superstar LeBron James is only 44 points away from beating Kobe Bryant to the No. 3 spot on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring List. But the LA Lakers legend is not bothered at all. He even shared his support to James. Bryant said LeBron James is playing “with a chip on his shoulder” this season.

James has returned with maximum force and has been unstoppable so far, leading the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference (34-9).

“He’s coming in this year with a chip on his shoulder obviously because of what everybody was saying that he’s washed up,” Bryant said about James.

“When I first came into the league, the average age was like 33 or 32. Now that you’re 35, [the narrative], is ‘You’re washed up and you’re dying.’ It’s kind of silly. But I think he’s doing a fantastic job,” the NBA Legend added.

This season, LeBron is averaging 25.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and a career-high 11.0 assists.

Bryant Praises James For His Success

As for the All-Time Scoring List, Bryant said LeBron has earned the success.

“I don’t know if people want that or want to have this kind of contentious thing where you don’t want records to be broken or people there to surpass you,” Bryant said. “You should be happy for the person that comes after you to be able to surpass things that you’ve done. It’s kind of juvenile to think or to behave any other way.”

Bryant has been watching LeBron’s performance this season and has nothing but praises for The King.

“He’s coming in this year with a chip on his shoulder obviously because of what everybody was saying that he’s washed up,” Bryant said. “When I first came into the league, the average age was like 33 or 32. Now that you’re 35, [the narrative], is ‘You’re washed up and you’re dying.’ It’s kind of silly. But I think he’s doing a fantastic job.”