On Friday night before the Los Angeles Lakers went head-to-head with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center, the team honored one of their first superstars with a statue outside of the iconic arena. Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor became the latest Lakers legend to be immortalized in bronze joining the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Among the fellow Lakers legend to pay their respects to Baylor before his statue was unveiled on Friday was none other than five-time NBA champion, Kobe Bryant.

“It's a huge beautiful day,” Bryant said of the statue unveiling. “It's a huge honor. What you have done for the city of Los Angeles, for this organization, goes beyond words. Personally, I'd like to thank you because I've stole so many of your moves it's not even funny. That rocker step. The changing to the left rocker step, the hesitation. The elevating to the basket, putting your shoulder into the big and finishing with contact. I got all that from you, my brother.

“Hopefully, this generation of basketball players understand that doesn't come from me. That's doesn't come from [Michael] Jordan. It comes from players like yourself. Thank you so much for what you've done and much, much love to you.”

Along with Kobe sending a message to the 83-year-old Baylor, many other iconic players from the storied franchise expressed their admiration and their experiences with the 11-time All-Star. Johnson, O'Neal, Abdul-Jabbar, and West were in attendance and shared some kind words for the legendary forward.

With Baylor now joining other Lakers greats outside of Staples, the debate will rage on about which player should be next to be honored with a statue. Bryant will definitely get his eventually as owner Jeanie Buss has made abundantly clear, but another legend like James Worthy could make a case to be the next in line.