February 8th 2024.
The city of Los Angeles is set to honor the late and great Lakers icon, Kobe Bryant, once again with a special tribute. On February 8, the team will unveil a statue of Bryant, known by his famous nickname "Black Mamba," outside of the Crypto.com Arena. The announcement was made by the Lakers themselves, who also shared that during their game against the Denver Nuggets, they will be wearing their Black Mamba uniforms that were co-designed by Bryant himself. This is just another way for the team and fans to pay tribute to the legendary player and his lasting legacy.
The unveiling of the statue will be the seventh of its kind, joining the ranks of other Lakers legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jerry West. This statue will serve as a permanent reminder of Bryant's impact on the team and the sport of basketball as a whole.
For those who are unable to attend the ceremony in person, Spectrum SportsNet will be airing it live with coverage starting at 3 p.m. PT. However, due to event staging and load out, public access to Star Plaza will be restricted. But for those who are lucky enough to attend, it will surely be a momentous and emotional experience.
During tonight's game, the Lakers will also be wearing their Black Mamba uniforms, which were first introduced during the 2017-2018 season. This marked the team's first City Edition uniform, and it was worn again during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, leading to their 17th NBA Championship. The uniform features a striking snakeskin-like print and drop shadows on the jersey numbers, with "LA 24" appearing on the belt and the numbers 8 and 24 under the flap of each leg of the shorts.
Bryant, who many believed was the "heir" to the legendary Michael Jordan, left an indelible mark on the sport of basketball. During his illustrious career, he won five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and the coveted NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2008. He was also a fixture at the All-Star game, making the team 18 times and becoming the youngest player to reach 30,000 points. Bryant retired in 2016, leaving behind an impressive legacy, but not before scoring a remarkable 60 points in his final game.
Tragically, the 41-year-old basketball legend's life was cut short in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020. Along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others, Bryant's death shook the world and left a void in the hearts of fans everywhere. But with this statue, his memory will be preserved and his legacy will live on forever. The city of Los Angeles and the Lakers organization will make sure that Kobe Bryant is never forgotten.
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