Lakers star LeBron James took to social media to honor franchise legend Kobe Bryant on the late star’s birthday.
August 23, 2025, marked what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 47th birthday — a day of remembrance across the NBA, especially within the Los Angeles Lakers community. Among those who paid tribute was Lakers star LeBron James, who shared a heartfelt post on social media in honor of the late NBA icon.
The Lakers’ official Instagram account had posted an image of Bryant in his classic dunk pose wearing his No. 8 jersey, accompanied by the message “Happy Birthday, Kobe.” LeBron reshared the post on his own account, joining a number of former teammates and fellow players who paid tribute, including Pau Gasol.
LeBron and Kobe never faced each other in the NBA Finals despite long careers in opposing conferences. Still, the two shared a unique bond — both entering the league directly from high school, Bryant as the 13th pick in 1996 and James as the first overall pick in 2003. Bryant played 20 seasons, while LeBron is now entering his 23rd.
Alongside the tributes, it was also revealed that a biopic about Bryant’s rise to the Lakers is in development, with Warner Bros. producing the film. This adds to the ongoing legacy and remembrance of Kobe Bryant’s impact on the game and culture of basketball.
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