Kevin Durant
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward has the creativity, the tenacity and the pure ability to take the NBA alpha-dog-scorer baton from Kobe. Not as outwardly brash as the legend, and his game is markedly different in a number of ways, but he himself said he “idolised” the Laker growing up.
Russell Westbrook
Incidentally, LA-born-and-bred Westbrook might have the most similar mentality to that of Kobe – the demanding nature, the relentless drive. It might be a stretch to call their games similar, but if anyone has the look of a younger Kobe, it is Durant’s Oklahoma City teammate.
Andrew Wiggins
The second-year Minnesota Timberwolves forward has the classic look of a scorer in the mould of a Bryant or Michael Jordan. His smooth mid-range jumper and the way he seemingly floats to the rim and hangs in the air are reminiscent of Kobe.
A kind of weird, wild-card comparison, to be sure, but the Croatian Orlando Magic rookie does love the mid-to-long range and plays with the kind of self-confidence Kobe would love, once telling Spanish reporters when he played with Barcelona that Lionel Messi should come to see him.
Bradley Beal
The Washington Wizards guard has the same kind of smooth jumper, and he likes to work just inside the three-point line with Kobe-like frequency.
jraymond@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @NatSportUAE
