Russell: The older I understand the more I understand what Kobe taught me. When I want to thank him, he is no longer there.

Recently, Nets star Russell visited Yang Kan's podcast to talk about the ball.

Speaking of Kobe, Russell said, "I was influenced by him. We used to go out and I always say that, he was talking about wisdom beyond my age, when I was very young in the league, I would hear him say things, and then say all of this is like rhythmic sentences and well-designed responses, he would say it to me, but I couldn't listen. And then like I said, the older I was, I would hear him, and I would hear those sentences back to you, and I would hear all those things. I would think, damn, that's what he meant at the time, and then when I wanted to thank him, he was gone. It was really hard for me."