In Los Angeles, where championship banners hang like constellations and legends are measured by rings and rivalries, two names loom larger than life: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Both are all-time greats, both wore the Purple and Gold, and both brought titles to the Lakers. But if you ask around town, there’s still a noticeable divide among fans - a line drawn not by stats or accolades, but by emotion, era, and identity.
Three-time Lakers champion Byron Scott recently weighed in on this dynamic, and his perspective adds some depth to the ongoing conversation. Speaking about the fanbase’s split allegiance, Scott didn’t mince words.
“It’s kinda weird here in L.A.,” he said. “If you love Kobe, you’re not a LeBron fan. And I don’t know why you can’t be both.”
Scott’s not wrong - the divide is real. In a city that watched Kobe grow from a teenage phenom into a five-time champion, the bond between Bryant and Lakers fans runs deep.
His loyalty to the franchise, his relentless work ethic, and his “Mamba Mentality” became part of the Lakers’ DNA. For many, Kobe wasn’t just a player - he was the heart of the franchise for two decades.
LeBron, on the other hand, arrived in L.A. with a résumé already etched in stone. A three-time champion before donning a Lakers jersey, he joined the team in 2018, bringing with him sky-high expectations and an entirely different legacy. And to his credit, he delivered - guiding the Lakers to a title in 2020 and earning Finals MVP honors in the process.
But for some fans, that wasn’t enough to erase the feeling that LeBron is a Laker by circumstance, not by blood. It’s an emotional distinction, not a logical one - and it’s one Scott doesn’t quite understand.
“LeBron is a tremendous basketball player,” he said. “Just because you were a big Kobe fan, you’re not showing him any disloyalty whatsoever if you love the way LeBron plays the game.”
That’s a fair point. Kobe and LeBron don’t need to be mutually exclusive.
They’re different players from different eras, with different styles and personalities - but both are undeniably great. Bryant’s career was defined by his scoring prowess, his clutch gene, and his unwavering commitment to the Lakers.
He averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game over 20 seasons, winning five championships and two Finals MVPs. He was part of the early-2000s three-peat alongside Shaquille O’Neal, then retooled and led L.A. to back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
LeBron’s path has been more winding, but no less impressive. Since joining the Lakers, he’s added another chapter to his storied career - one that includes four total championships, multiple MVPs, and a Finals MVP in 2020.
That title, earned in the Orlando bubble during one of the most unusual seasons in NBA history, was a testament to his leadership and adaptability. And while it may not carry the same nostalgic weight as Kobe’s Finals runs, it was a monumental moment for a franchise that hadn’t won since 2010.
Now, at 40 years old and heading into his 21st season, LeBron continues to defy time. He’s averaging 20.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game this season, helping keep the Lakers in the thick of the Western Conference race as the current No. 4 seed. He’s scored 20+ in four of his last five games, and his presence on the court still commands respect from teammates and opponents alike.
As his career winds down, the hope is that more fans will take a step back and appreciate the full scope of what LeBron has brought to L.A. He may not have the same origin story as Kobe, but his impact on the franchise - and the game - is undeniable.
In the end, there doesn’t need to be a choice. Lakers fans can celebrate both legends for what they were: generational talents who gave everything they had to the game.
Kobe gave L.A. two decades of brilliance. LeBron gave them a title when the franchise needed it most.
And if he adds another before he’s done? That divide might just start to fade.