Los Angeles Lakers fans are very familiar with this injury. It's the same injury that Kobe Bryant suffered back in the 2013 season, also late in the season. Tatum idolized Bryant growing up, calling him his favorite player as a kid. Now that he has suffered the same injury as his idol, fans have compared the two getting the same injury.

Jayson Tatum has been open for his entire basketball career about the way he idolizes the late, great Kobe Bryant. And now, after the worst news of Tatum's career, that admiration comes into focus more than ever.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Brunson said the NBA "needs Jayson Tatum" in the wake of the Boston Celtics star undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles suffered in the Knicks' win in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Former Laker Julius Randle is excelling with the Timberwolves, and he said late Lakers great Kobe Bryant helped shape his mentality.

Minnesota Timberwolves star forward, Julius Randle shares how superstar guard Anthony Edwards is like Kobe Bryant.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle credited Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for teaching him how to deal with adversity.