The Lakers entered the 2013-14 season with high hopes. Injuries derailed the team all year and brought about the most losses since the team moved to Los Angeles. In a money-saving move, the Lakers traded Steve Blake to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for MarShon Brooks and Kent Bazemore.
As the Lakers are set to take on the Warriors Friday, Blake commented on playing with his former teammate Kobe Bryant according to Mark Medina from L.A. Daily News:
Blake on Kobe: “From the outside, you can never fully understand how great a player he is until you see him night-in and night-out”
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 11, 2014
During his time as a Laker, Blake established a close relationship with Bryant. When the Lakers sent Blake to the Warriors, Bryant expressed frustration over the loss of a friend and a competitive teammate on Twitter.
Blake isn’t the first person to come out and praise Bryant. Just last month, Kevin Durant, Jamaal Crawford, and Blake Griffin all spoke about Bryant’s greatness. Even some of the current Lakers have commented on how great it is to be able to learn from someone of Bryant’s caliber.
By signing an extension last November, Bryant is expected to carry out his final two years as a Laker. The Lakers will have ample cap room and a high draft pick to bring in new players.
