Kobe Bryant fans are finding it hard to come to terms with LeBron James being a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.They have demonstrated this by vandalising murals of the four-time MVP in L.A.Despite being Lakers fans, they don't want another superstar to come in and affect the legacy of their beloved legend.This has become a huge talking point on social media this summer as it's seen the Kobe vs LeBron debate resurface.But the man himself is probably happier than anybody to see James as a Laker.Bryant has reached out to the King and has stated that he's prepared to do anything to help him while he's on the team.Not everybody in Tinseltown has been so welcoming, however.

Team first approach

In an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" this week, the Black Mamba said he expects his true fans to "fall in line" and embrace LBJ.

"I hear that," Bryant said when asked if he's aware that some of his fans have an issue with James joining the purple and gold.

"But listen, if you are fan of mine, you are a fan of winning, you are a fan of the Lakers. I bleed purple and gold. So that is above anything else.

"I have been a Lakers fan since I was yay high. That is never going to change. Right? [It] is about winning championships. So they'll fall in line."

After making the decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join Los Angeles, James must've known what he was letting himself in for.

The comparisons to Kobe were inevitable as some will measure him against the success that the five-time champion had.

But Bryant believes comparing the two players doesn't make any sense.

"I don't know, making the comparison of him being viewed in the similar vein as me, that doesn't make much sense," Bryant told Eisen.

"I think the goal is always to win championships. No matter where you go, that is the goal.

"And that is his goal, that is Rob's [Pelinka] goal, that is Magic's [Johnson] goal, Jeanie's [Buss] goal, [Rajon] Rondo, all the guys, [Kyle] Kuzma, Lonzo [Ball], they all want to win championships.

"That is what they are gunning for. He wouldn't have come here if he didn't expect to win championships."

If King James delivers a 17th title for the storied franchise, there's no doubt that he'll earn the love of all Lakers fans.

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