Now that Russell Westbrook plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, he'll be embodying the spirit of Kobe Bryant every time he steps on the court — as he's done his entire career, no matter the uniform.

Westbrook's unique competitive drive is what first earned the respect and admiration of Bryant, who Westbrook idolized as a kid growing up in Los Angeles.

On Tuesday, Westbrook was formally introduced as a member of the Lakers at a press conference at Staples Center alongside head coach Frank Vogel and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who was Bryant's agent and best friend.

Westbrook was asked about the impact of Bryant on him personally, as the two bonded over their competitive fire and Los Angeles connections.

“Hasn’t left my head,” Westbrook told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne about the wisdom Bryant imparted. “It’s things that we’ve talked about, me and him. The potential of me being a Laker, and understanding what that entails. It’s just crazy to think about. That will be with me every time I put that Lakers jersey on.”

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Over the years, the two developed a deeper friendship that stretched beyond the borders of the basketball court.

“I think that was the initial thing that brought us together, is being able to compete and not being able to take nights off,” Westbrook said. “But we began to have a better relationship off the floor as brothers and talking about things outside of basketball and things that we’ve been able to do with this game. And to me, that is the most important thing I’ve been able to cherish from Kobe that I will continue to cherish.”

Pelinka added an anecdote about Bryant's reaction to Westbrook's 2016-17 MVP season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over the course of a regular season. Bryant was impressed with Westbrook's “competitive edge that is rare across all sports,” Pelinka said, and identified Westbrook as “one of a small handful” of active players in the NBA who truly embodied the Mamba Mentality.

“I can just hear him say: ‘He gets it. He’s got it,'” Pelinka recalled Bryant stating about Westbrook.

Now, Westbrook will bring that mentality back to Staples Center, as Bryant's jersey(s) and presence (proudly) looms overhead.