Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has no intentions of riding the LeBron James hate train. In fact, the retired future Hall of Famer appears to be encouraging the Lakers faithful to get behind the new face of the franchise.

In a recent interview on The Rich Einsen Show, Bryant has acknowledged the controversy that has gone hand in hand with the Lakers' recent acquisition of James. However, he believes that at the end of the day, winning will always remain to be the most important thing.

“If you are fan of mine, you are a fan of winning, you are a fan of the Lakers,” Kobe Bryant said, per E.Jay Sarret of Sporting News.

Byrant has pretty much reached out to his “die-hard” supporters and have appealed to their better senses. The recent arrival of James has inevitably led to comparisons between the two superstars, but Kobe believes that there is no need for the same.

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Bryant is banking on the supporters' loyalty to the purple and gold as a franchise. Despite being considered as one of the greatest to ever put on the purple and gold, Kobe understands that the Lakers is much more than just a single individual.

“I bleed purple and gold. So that is above anything else,” Kobe declared.

Bryant is speaking from his own personal standpoint here. Himself a life-long Lakers fan, he states that at the end of the day, it's all about the team.

Kobe is just one man; and so is LeBron James. True Los Angeles fans should always put the good of the team above all else, at least according to one of the greatest Lakers ever.