Overview

• Reaves made the declaration during a promotional tour in Asia with his sneaker partner Rigorer when asked who his greatest of all time was.
• His childhood admiration was fostered by his grandmother in Arkansas and even earned him the nickname “Hillbilly Kobe” among friends.
• LeBron James responded good-naturedly to Reaves’s choice, joking that he had already forgiven him for picking Bryant over himself.
• Despite four seasons playing alongside James, Reaves has maintained an independent loyalty to Kobe Bryant’s legacy.
• As he approaches unrestricted free agency next summer, analysts expect Reaves to command at least $30 million per year, more than double his current salary.