Lakers News: Kobe Bryant told D’Angelo Russell he ‘looked ready’ before the Lakers’ first game

As you might have heard by now, the Los Angeles Lakers will kick off their first season without Kobe Bryant on the roster in 20 years on Tuesday night. It’s a bittersweet moment, as fans lost a beloved figure in the franchise’s illustrious history.

However, the team’s future looks bright, especially that of their second-year point guard, D’Angelo Russell. No less an authority than Bryant himself believes so.

"I talked to Kobe [Bryant] yesterday, just letting him know I was ready,” Russell told Baxter Holmes of ESPN on Tuesday night before the game. “He told me I looked ready. Coming from him that was great to hear going into opening night."

It’s probably great to hear for Lakers fans as well. Russell may never end up having the impact on the team that Kobe did, but it sounds like Bryant believes the franchise is still in hands that are “ready” to hold it.

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