Julius Randle was asked last night if he has any motivation to win the 2023 NBA All-Star Game MVP award (named after former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant).

(via Jump View):

Reporter: “After it was named in honor of Kobe Bryant, is it giving you extra motivation to bring the trophy to the city?”

Randle: “Yeah, that’s what it’s about. I grew up idolizing Kobe, looking at Kobe, what he did every night. To have a relationship with him, him becoming a big brother to me, to him being my idol and cussing me out. So every day I feel his spirit with me, man, and hopefully I’m making him proud.”