During his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, Adam Morrison was able to play alongside a legend in Kobe Bryant and be a part of a squad that went on to win back-to-back titles.
Although Morrison didn't see much time on the floor while with the Lakers, the former Gonzaga superstar has many fond memories about his time in purple and gold, one, in particular, left quite an impression on him as it directly involved Bryant and came at a very difficult time in his life right after his stint ended in Los Angeles. He couldn't find another job in the NBA.
Morrison recently made an appearance on our Battle for L.A. Podcast and talked about heart-warming memory he has of Bryant and what the five-time NBA champion did for him during this incredibly tough time.
“It was a day of reflection,” Morrison said of the day Bryant passed away. “It was emotional. It was awful, obviously. I'm glad I got to know him. It's not every day you get to meet geniuses and get to be around savants and be around people that squeeze every ounce of what they have into their craft. That wasn't just basketball for him. He was a deep thinker. He wasn't into bullshit. He wasn't into stupid stuff. He was into what can I do to make myself better. What can I do to push myself? What can I do to push other people? You don't get to be around a lot of people like that in your life.
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“He publicly defended me numerous times. When I was out of the league, I told you I was a Chelsea fan… he knew I really liked Didier Drogba. He's one of my favorite players of all-time, and so, the year after I'm not with the Lakers, Robert Lara, the security for the Lakers, texted me and said, ‘What's your address?' I gave him my address. I didn't think anything of it, and I get a package in the mail, and it's an autographed game-worn Didier Drogba jersey, and on it, it says, ‘Best wishes, to Adam,' and it's signed.
“I always thought Kobe made a phone call. Still cool. Still fucking awesome! Well, that night [when Kobe passed], I'm scrolling through everything. I'm emotional reading stuff, and on Chelsea's Instagram page, it says, ‘When Kobe visits Stamford Bridge,” and the first picture is him holding the fucking jersey with Didier Drogba and if you zoom in, it says, ‘To Adam.'
“So he went up to him and got it signed. I still have it. He got it signed for me. I never asked him for this, and he knew I was in a low point in my life. I was out of the league. So he sent that to me just as kind of a I'm thinking of you. It's what he did for a lot of people. He understood what his aura was and so he would throw nuggets to people to pick them up.
“That day was tough because like I said he publicly defended me and he did that for me personally. He didn't have to do that, and it was a very emotional day. I'm just glad that I got to be around him, to be honest.”
Since Bryant passed away back in late January of this year, the loss of the NBA icon has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Everyone that has ever met, been inspired, played alongside or against the Hall of Famer has been devastated by the news. Morrison is one of a few former Lakers players that was able to suit up with Bryant and be touched by a kind gesture from the late superstar.
Even though the Lakers legend is no longer with us, Bryant continues to inspire and leave a lasting impact on people aspiring to achieve something in life or follow their passion.
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