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Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea recalls a special Kobe Bryant memory

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea recalls a special Kobe Bryant memory

USA Today19-06-2025

Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea recalls a special Kobe Bryant memory
Flea, the great bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, isn't just one of the Los Angeles Lakers' most famous fans — he's also one of their most devoted fans. He has followed the team for over 40 years, and through all the ups and downs, his loyalty has never wavered.
He first fell in love with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers, but years later, he found a new superstar to back when the franchise traded for the draft rights to a 17-year-old named Kobe Bryant in 1996. Bryant played all 20 seasons of his legendary career with the Lakers and drove them to five NBA championships while elevating their legacy and fame to even greater heights.
In an interview with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, Flea recalled a special memory involving him and the late Hall of Famer before a big playoff game.
Via Lakers Daily:
'I think it was the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs and I did the anthem and I was in hallway in the back waiting to do the anthem and he came out and I knew when he came out, but I knew he had the game face on, like serious, you know what I mean?' he said.
Bryant was famous for his iron-clad focus, intensity and will to win. But he still made some time to acknowledge the famous musician.
'He went out of his way to come over and say hello and I really appreciated that, you know? Because he knew my energy was dedicated.'
Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in January 2020. But fans from all walks of life will never forget the memories he provided and the special touch he had with people.

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