"You Didn't Get To Play Against Bean": Devin Booker Chats With Anthony Edwards About Playing With Kobe Bryant

It’s been over six years since the untimely passing of Kobe Bryant, but his legacy is as resilient as his heart was on the court. While there are massive statues and murals that honor his life and career, even the smallest moments pay tribute to the warrior that was the Black Mamba.

One such moment came during the All-Star Weekend, when two elite shooting guards influenced by Bryant shared a moment of nostalgia. In a clip posted by the NBA on X, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards are seen watching a montage of Bryant backstage at the Intuit Dome.

At one point, Booker turned to Edwards and teased him. “You didn’t get to play against Bean,” Booker said. “His last year was my first year.” 

Wistfully, Edwards shook his head and replied, “Bruh, I already know. I heard he was f**king incredible.”

Going further down memory lane, the Phoenix Suns’ sharpshooter recalled the privilege of squaring off against Kobe. “He only played one time. Out of the four games.” Edwards added, “And you got a chance to holla at him and everything. That’s what I’m saying. That’s the best feeling in the world.”

The tone of envy in Edwards’ voice could not have been more obvious, but for what it’s worth, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ main man now has strong connective tissue to Bryant. That weekend, Edwards led Team USA Stars to victory in the All-Star championship game against Team USA Stripes. Finishing with 32 points in that encounter, Edwards was awarded the Kobe Bryant trophy as the 2026 All-Star Game MVP.

Further tying Edwards to Bryant’s legacy is the fact that the All-Star MVP trophy was renamed in honor of the Lakers legend within the same year that Ant-Man was drafted. On top of this, the playing styles of Edwards and Bryant are cut from the same cloth, as they both patterned their game after the iconic Michael Jordan.

As for Booker, he scored 28 points when the Suns knocked off Bryant’s Lakers on March 24, 2016. After the game, Bryant wrote an inscription on the 19-year-old’s Kobe 11s: “Be Legendary.” Booker, who went on to become a two-time Olympic gold medalist like Kobe, would later have these words tattooed on his forearm.

Booker and Edwards are just two examples of the countless hoopers who were inspired by Bryant’s insatiable drive and turned their admiration into NBA careers. Bryant will never again step on the court and hit his patented fadeaway jumper, but his killer instinct and undeniable spirit continue to fuel competitors in the league today.