"I don't think he ever will be Kobe" - Gary Payton says it's blasphemy to compare Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Kobe Bryant originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Kobe Bryant is worshipped in LA.So anytime there is a comparison to the five-time NBA champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend, especially from a self-proclaimed Boston Celtics superfan, one needs to tread carefully.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Names Kobe Bryant As His Favorite Player Ever: "Hopefully I'm Somewhere Close To That..." originally appeared on Fadeaway World.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Mirrors Kobe Bryant. The buzz is not just about what numbers he has, it's about how he plays.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deeply regrets never having the chance to meet his basketball idol, Kobe Bryant. Despite shaping his game around Kobe’s legendary footwork and mid-range mastery, the Oklahoma City Thunder star never crossed paths with him before Bryant’s tragic passing in 2020.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Jalen Williams believes there are similarities between Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 35 points in the final five minutes as the Thunder tied the NBA Finals with a 111-104 victory in Game 4. The Thunder made only three three-pointers but

One included Gilgeous-Alexander's admiration for Bryant. He talked about his basketball impact. While they never crossed paths when Bryant was alive until his 2020 death, he's carried his baton as the NBA's best shooting guard with three straight 30-plus point campaigns.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the premier talents in the league and is carrying the legacy of historical figures like Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.