There will never be another NBA player like Kobe Bryant.
Kobe was the most similar player to Michael Jordan, granted that he admittedly mimicked his game to the Chicago Bulls legend.
Recently, Andre Iguodala claimed that Jimmy Butler was the player who resembled Kobe the most, as he had the same killer approach and relentless work ethic.
However, Stephen A. Smith respectfully disagrees.
In his recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, the renowned pundit stated that it is Devin Booker, not Butler, who reminds him the most of Kobe (via Andrew Leezus).
Stephen A. Smith praising Devin Booker 🔥🫡 pic.twitter.com/4oaDzyyz8v
— LEEZUS (@AndrewLeezus) September 5, 2023
Smith explained that Butler doesn’t seem to care about scoring or the offense until he gets to the postseason, whereas Kobe always cared about scoring.
He believes that Booker is similar in that regard, considering he’s always looking to get buckets.
Booker has never hidden his love and admiration for Kobe.
He grew up idolizing and trying to incorporate some of his moves into his repertoire, and there are evident similarities in their games.
They were both the No. 13 pick, and they both do plenty of trash-talking, but they also rise up to the occasion when their team is in need of a bucket.
Then again, Booker isn’t — nor he’ll ever be — even half of the defender Kobe was, which is perhaps the only reason why he will never be as similar to Kobe as he’d hoped.
Still, Booker is definitely on the shortlist of the few players who could replicate or even top Kobe’s legendary 81-point performance.
