The Bridge Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James: Kobe Bryant (Published 2020) (2024)

LOS ANGELES — Late Saturday night, after he had passed Kobe Bryant for third place on the N.B.A.’s career scoring list, LeBron James got a phone call from Bryant, who had already tweeted his congratulations but wanted to reach out anyway.

For two iconic figures who had mastered their craft in the shadow of Michael Jordan, their conversation was warm and celebratory. Between them, there was mutual respect and admiration, a friendship that had grown stronger in recent years. James had paid tribute to Bryant during the Lakers’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers that night by writing the phrase “Mamba 4 Life” on his sneakers, a reference to Bryant’s self-styled nickname. James reflected on their relationship afterward.

“It’s surreal,” he told reporters. “It doesn’t make no sense, but the universe just puts things in your life.”

The next day, Bryant and eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles. It brought to an abrupt end a friendship between icons, Bryant and James, who have each dominated the N.B.A. as the apparent heirs of Jordan, channeling his drive and talent and championship pedigree to become distinctive greats with legacies of their own.

On his Instagram account Monday night, James posted a series of candid photographs of himself with Bryant.

“I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!!” James wrote.