Kobe Bryant responds to D’Angelo Russell’s McGrady love

Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant let rookie teammate D’Angelo Russell know that Tracy McGrady has nothing on the Mamba

D’Angelo Russell is the young white knight for the Los Angeles Lakers, riding into the City of Angels as the second-overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and the future of the franchise. However, the Lakers’ resident all-time great in Kobe Bryant felt it necessary to give the rookie a history lesson.

On Friday night, Russell sent out a tweet saying that former NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady “might be the GOAT.” Immediately people began awaiting a response from Kobe as it seemed inevitable. Indeed it was as Kobe responded hours later with a simple message:

https://twitter.com/kobebryant/status/632367332262711296

In a tweet that absolutely screams “I’m sorry Mamba, please don’t bring down your proverbial hammer on me,” Russell quickly replied:

Kobe lightened the mood soon after, though, telling the Lakers rookie that it’s time to get ready for big things in the 2015-16 season:

Whether or not the Lakers are actually going to shock the world this season remains to be seen. However, an aging Kobe has a much more talented group around him this season with the addition of Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams in free agency and a young core in Russell, Julius Randle, and the emerging Jordan Clarkson.

Regardless of success in the upcoming season, as long as Kobe is still suiting up in gold and purple the first rule of the Lakers will remain the same: respect the Mamba.

H/T to For The Win

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