One of the greatest legends in Los Angeles Lakers history is Kobe Bryant, whose legacy and accomplishments with the franchise remain undeniable. Greatness often recognizes greatness, and on Bryant’s birthday, fellow Lakers icon Magic Johnson sent a powerful message to remember him.
On what would have been his 47th birthday, the basketball world once again paused to honor Kobe Bryant. The Lakers legend remains one of the most iconic figures in NBA history, and tributes poured in from family, former teammates, and fellow greats, including Johnson.
Johnson, who shared a close bond with Bryant despite never playing alongside him, took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a heartfelt message. “Remembering husband, girl dad, entrepreneur, friend, five-time champion, and one of the greatest to ever lace them up, Kobe Bryant on his birthday.”
His words drew an immediate reaction, generating hundreds of likes within minutes. Over the years, Johnson has never hidden how highly he regarded Bryant. He has openly stated that in his eyes, “He is not only an incredible sports icon, but also the greatest to wear the purple and gold.”
Bryant’s family also joined in the celebration of his life. Vanessa Bryant shared a candid photo with Kobe, writing, “We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Happy birthday, baby.”
Bryant spent all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers, posting career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game across 1,346 appearances. He shot 44.7% from the field and 32.9% from beyond the arc.
His list of accomplishments includes five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, the 2008 NBA MVP award, and 18 All-Star selections. He also ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and remains the only player in league history to have two jersey numbers retired by the same franchise—No. 8 and No. 24.