Kobe Bryant gifts autographed sneakers to Chris Paul

— -- Kobe Bryant has received many gifts on his farewell tour, but he has turned into a prolific gift-giver as well, handing out signed sneakers to other players from around the league. That trend continued after the Los Angeles Lakers played back-to-back games against their Staples Center rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, with Clippers guard Chris Paul showing off his new acquisition.

The sneakers -- a pair of Air Jordan 3s with a Lakers' purple and gold Jumpman logo -- included a message from Bryant.

Bryant and Paul were famously (or perhaps infamously if you're a Lakers fan) nearly Lakers teammates back in 2011 but had to settle for playing together on All-Star and Olympic teams.

As for Kobe's choice of sneaker for CP3, it's fitting, given that Paul is a Jordan Brand endorser. Bryant wears his own signature Nikes, and did so in Wednesday's game against the Clippers. But he has worn Jordan Brand sneakers -- including the Jordan 3 -- in games in the past, notably when he was a sneaker free agent in the 2002-03 season.