LeBron James talked about how much he admired Kobe Bryant when he was in high school.

"I mean, in high school I wore a nappy-(expletive) afro because of Kobe Bryant, because he wore it," James said. "I wanted to be just like him, man. And I always said my inspiration came from (Michael) Jordan, but I always thought Jordan was so out of this world that I could never get there. Kobe was someone that I just always kind of wanted to be like and play like."

James also regrets never being able to play against Bryant in The Finals.

"I know the world wanted to see it," James said Tuesday. "I wanted it, we wanted it, he held up his end and I didn't hold up my end, and I hate that. I hate that that didn't happen."