Kobe Bryant will go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history. The shooting guard spent the entirety of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and built his legacy on winning. The Black Mamba won five championships during his career, which came to define him.

Kobe has some of the most passionate fans around, and many of them are still trying to warm up to the idea of LeBron James donning the purple and gold.

Bryant said on the Rich Eisen Show:

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“If you are a fan of mine, you are a fan of winning, you are a fan of the Lakers. I bleed purple and gold. So that is above anything else.”

Bryant is talking about his rabid fan base and how they will eventually accept LeBron James into Los Angeles. Of course, the hatred for LeBron was difficult for some to get past, but once James starts winning, the fans should warm up to him.

Kobe is welcoming LeBron to LA with open arms because he knows the purple and gold are in a much better place now. James immediately makes the Lakers a playoff team, and although they probably don't have enough firepower to compete with the Warriors, they aren't far away. Perhaps a trade deadline addition or signing another star in the offseason will be enough to put the LeBron-led Lakers over the edge.

Winning is the great equalizer, especially in Los Angeles.