Well look who made his first appearance at Staples Center this season to watch LeBron James and the new-look Lakers. None other than Kobe Bryant. Check out this photo taken by the team: Kobe looked as intense as ever watching LeBron lead a franchise that had long been led by Kobe. But he showed his softer side when the video cameras found him: He shared a hug with another Laker legend, Magic Johnson: Magic Johnson comes over to talk to Kobe Bryant courtside. pic.twitter.com/hq7x2h5kIe — Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 26, 2018 And celebrated with the rest of the crowd when Kyle Kuzma threw down a dunk. Kuzma with the dunk to put the Lakers up by seven. Kobe and everyone at Staples Center like what they see. pic.twitter.com/VOY78sGDVy — Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 26, 2018 Yup, Kobe Bryant had a pretty good time at Staples Center on Thursday night. Oh, and LeBron dropped a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the Lakers rallied to hand the Nuggets their first loss of the season, winning 121-114. Not bad, LA.<doc-sep>When Kobe Bryant made his first appearance at a Los Angeles Lakers game since LeBron James signed with the team as the Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets for their first home win of the season on Thursday night, it wasn’t quite clear what to expect from the evening. But while such a symbolic passing of the torch wasn’t without it’s awkwardness — most notably a crowd chanting “Kobe” before being silenced by a 3-pointer from James — after the win, both future Hall of Famers were effusive in their excitement about seeing one another at Staples Center. On his way out of Staples Center @KobeBryant told me and @taniaganguli what he thought of his first close-up look at LeBron James as a Laker. “It’s fucking awesome. Being here in this building. Seeing the fans, seeing the energy back in the place, it’s awesome.” — Bill Oram (@billoram) October 26, 2018 And just as much as Bryant says he liked seeing James in a Lakers jersey, the rest of the Lakers enjoyed seeing Bryant at the game, including James himself. James said he didn’t get a chance to share any words with Bryant, but that it was special to have one of the franchise’s biggest stars in the house (via the team’s official Twitter account): “Of course you notice him sitting right there on the baseline over there. One of the all-time Laker greats, what he’s done for this franchise in his 20-plus years that he was here speaks wonders. For me to be able to compete against him all those years, and then for me to be able to share a jersey, the same jersey as him at this point, it’s pretty special. “I know he’s doing a lot of things right now after basketball. His daughter looks like she’s on her way playing the game of basketball — she looks nice playing too — so for him to take the time out to come and watch us play tonight was pretty cool.” Bryant’s former teammate — and now Lakers head coach — Luke Walton also enjoyed seeing the man he won two rings with: Luke Walton on Kobe being present: I think everyone gets excited when Kobe’s around. So us as a staff, the players, anyone who’s a part of the Laker family, the fans, everyone. He’s a huge part of this organization, so when he gets in the building, I think it brings a little more — Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) October 26, 2018 Lakers guard Lance Stephenson similarly couldn’t hide how hyped he was to have one of his “favorite players” from childhood in the building: "Aw man, you know Kobe, it's a blessing for him to be at the game. That's one of my favorite players. He was like 'good game' after the game, so I was a little hyped. "- Lance on whether or not it meant more to have Kobe in the house for the win tonight (via @SpectrumSN) — Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) October 26, 2018 Lonzo Ball, who had Bryant at at least one game during his rookie season, said it was still unique any time one of the team’s greatest players ever is in the building: "It's always special when Kobe comes, he's a Laker legend. I'm glad we got the win for him. "- Lonzo on Kobe being at the game tonight (via @Lakers) — Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) October 26, 2018 As James mentioned, Bryant has a lot of other projects, so it’s unlikely he becomes a regular at Staples Center this season no matter how “f—king awesome” he says it is to watch LeBron. However, given how warmly he was received by the players and how raucous the crowd was every time he was shown on the jumbotron, maybe Bryant will make a few more trips out to games this season. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.<doc-sep>Robert Laberge/Getty Images Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant made his way to the Staples Center on Thursday night for his former team's second home game of the season, and he was treated to a show as new Lakers superstar LeBron James (28 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds) posted his first triple-double in purple and gold while leading his squad to a 121-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Afterward, the four-time NBA MVP acknowledged he was aware of the Black Mamba's presence. "I absolutely [noticed him], of course; you notice him sitting right there on the baseline over there," James said after the game, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "[One] of the all-time Laker greats. What he's done for this franchise in his 20-plus years that he was here...it speaks wonders. Of course, it would have been hard for James to not notice the Mamba, as the five-time NBA champion received a standing ovation during the game: James has teamed up with a number of stars during his career, but outside of the Olympics, he never got to team up with Bryant. But he understands it's special to be able to say he wore the same jersey as the Mamba. Video Play Button Videos you might like "For me to be able to compete against him all those years and then for me to be able to share a jersey, the same jersey as him at this point...I think it's pretty special," James added, per Youngmisuk. While James appreciated Bryant coming out and showing his support, the love went both ways. "It's f---ing awesome," Bryant said of having James in a Lakers uniform, according to The Athletic's Bill Oram. "Being here in this building. Seeing the fans, seeing the energy back in the place, it's awesome." Los Angeles is currently in the midst of a five-year playoff drought and appeared stuck in rebuild mode—until James decided to sign with the team this summer. That was a move that got Bryant excited, as he told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, "I LOVE IT." In fact, Bryant even played a role in getting James to L.A. The Mamba spoke to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to get the organization in shape so it could make a run at James, as he talked about recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live: Bryant is on the record with The Undefeated's Jerry Bembry saying the Lakers are going to "surprise" people this year and are a no-doubt playoff team. On Thursday night, he got a firsthand look at the squad and walked away impressed with the buzz around the Lakers.<doc-sep>
Kobe Bryant says if LeBron James ever needs anything from him, the five-time champion has his back. (1:17) LOS ANGELES -- As LeBron James walked to the free throw line with 12.9 seconds left in Thursday's game, an approving Kobe Bryant clapped and pumped both of his fists, encouraging his old team and its new superstar to close out their best win of the early season. Seated at the corner of the baseline, Bryant made a rare appearance at Staples Center, and the former Los Angeles Lakers great watched his old rival James collect two milestones: his first triple-double with the Lakers and first home victory with them. Behind James' 28 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and 3 steals, the Lakers handed the Denver Nuggets their first loss of the season with a 121-114 victory before a jubilant Staples Center crowd. "I absolutely [noticed him], of course. You notice him sitting right there on the baseline over there," said James, who did not get a chance to talk to Bryant. "[One] of the all-time Laker greats. What he's done for this franchise in his 20-plus years that he was here ... it speaks wonders. "For me to be able to compete against him all those years and then for me to be able to share a jersey, the same jersey as him at this point ... I think it's pretty special." James now has 74 career triple-doubles, four shy of Wilt Chamberlain for fifth all time, according to ESPN Stats & Information. James is the first Lakers player to record a 20-point triple-double since Bryant did so in December 2014 against Denver. The Lakers felt the added energy that came with Bryant in attendance, something he did last season when he and his family were honored with the retirement of his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys. Bryant, who sat next to Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager and his former agent, also felt the buzz in Staples Center with the Lakers having a new superstar in James. It's the type of excitement that hasn't really been here since Bryant played and the Lakers were winning. "It's great to have this excitement back in the building," Bryant said after the win.