San Antonio Spurs veteran small forward Rudy Gay revealed that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant helped him get through his Achilles recovery.
According to Gay, Bryant — who tore his Achilles as well — motivated him throughout his rigorous rehab:
#Spurs Rudy Gay reflects on life of Kobe Bryant. How Kobe motivated him after Achilles injury, praying for Vanessa, Kobe's daughters and all families affected by crash…'Still seems surreal, this is one of those that's not going away' (📹@markmendez) #KSATsports #KSATnews #NBA pic.twitter.com/J0ZJTTBXTy
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) January 29, 2020
Gay suffered a full rupture of his left Achilles tendon in 2017 when he was still with the Sacramento Kings. He was then sidelined for the rest of that season.
Gay then went on to sign with the Spurs in the following summer.
The pain people in the NBA are feeling about losing Bryant isn't going to go away anytime soon. Kobe was this generation's Michael Jordan.
Lakers players and coaches gathered for a light workout on Tuesday that turned into an impromptu storytelling session about their favorite memories of Bryant. It was the first time that the team had met since Bryant’s passing.
LeBron James recalled a story of Bryant knocking down Pau Gasol during a game between Team USA and Spain in the 2008 Olympics. Dr. Judy Seto, the Lakers’ director of sports performance, said that it was a calculated move to get Gasol thinking of where he had to improve before joining the team the following season.
The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference. It would be special to see James and Anthony Davis lead LA on a title run for Kobe. The Lakers are back in action on Friday when they host Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony and the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers retired Bryant’s No. 8 and 24 jerseys last year. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as part of an incredible class when inductees are announced later this year.
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