In January 2020, the renowned NBA star Kobe Bryant tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident. Alongside him, his daughter Gianna and several others also perished. This devastating event had a profound impact on the Bryant family, the Lakers community, and the entire NBA. Despite his untimely passing, Kobe, who was still in his prime, had so much more to contribute to the world of basketball.
Four years have passed since his demise, but the pain remains fresh for his widow Vanessa and those who were close to Kobe. Last night, the Lakers paid tribute to Bryant by unveiling a 19-foot statue outside their downtown arena. The pose for the statue was personally chosen by Kobe himself. He opted for his iconic gesture of raising one finger, symbolizing his extraordinary achievement of scoring 81 points against the Raptors in 2006. In addition to his main statue, there will be two others, one featuring Kobe in his #8 jersey and the other showcasing him in #24. The final statue will depict Bryant alongside his daughter Gianna.
Prior to their game against the Nuggets, the Lakers revealed a colossal 4,000-pound bronze statue of Kobe Bryant. The sculpture captures the moment when Bryant, after scoring 81 points, walks off the court and points towards the sky. Surrounding the statue are five replica Larry O’Brien trophies, representing the five championships Kobe won during his two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers. The statue is also placed upon a black triangle as a tribute to his legendary head coach Phil Jackson and his assistant Tex Winters, who played a significant role in implementing the triangle offense.
Vanessa Bryant added a QR code on the side of the trophy, which directs viewers to a video showcasing Kobe Bryant’s highlights. The video is narrated by the esteemed actor Denzel Washington. Through this statue, Kobe’s legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history will forever be etched in our memories. Future generations will come to know and appreciate the immense impact he had on the game of basketball.
Two more statues honoring Kobe Bryant will be unveiled at a later date, yet to be determined. Bryant becomes the sixth player in Lakers history to receive such an honor, joining the ranks of Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor. The legacy of Kobe Bryant will endure for eternity, as he continues to inspire aspiring players worldwide to become the next “Black Mamba.”
According to the Source sportslens.com