The Los Angeles Lakers, in collaboration with Vanessa Bryant, announced on Thursday morning the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the legendary Kobe Bryant. Vanessa Bryant made this much-anticipated announcement through a heartfelt video shared on the Lakers’ social media platforms. The statue will be revealed on February 8, a date that holds significant meaning as it coincides with Mamba Day, in honor of Kobe Bryant’s illustrious Lakers career wearing the iconic numbers 8 and 24. It is worth noting that the choice of this date also pays tribute to Bryant’s daughter, Gianna, who wore the number 2.
The tragic helicopter crash in January 2020 took the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with seven others, leaving an immeasurable void in the basketball community. Vanessa Bryant expressed her gratitude for the upcoming statue, stating, “On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters, and me, I am so honored that, right here in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as ‘The House that Kobe Built,’ we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever.”
Kobe Bryant will become the seventh individual affiliated with the Lakers organization to be honored with a statue outside the renowned Crypto.com Arena. This prestigious group includes basketball legends such as Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Jerry West, as well as renowned Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn. Notably, the arena also showcases statues of other celebrated athletes, including Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille, and Oscar De La Hoya.
The Lakers organization emphasized that Kobe Bryant actively participated in the planning of his statue, ensuring a personal touch that reflects his extraordinary achievements. The unveiling ceremony will take place outside the arena and serves as the first of a series of physical tributes dedicated to honoring Bryant’s unparalleled legacy. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss expressed her sentiments, saying, “Kobe Bryant was one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most iconic individuals in the history of Los Angeles. There is no better place for Kobe to be honored with a statue than here, at the center of our city, where everyone can celebrate him and be inspired by his incredible achievements.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, who also served as Bryant’s agent, shared his thoughts on the significance of the statue. He expressed that it will provide a physical presence for Bryant, allowing individuals to gather at a place where greatness was born. It will serve as a site where fans, friends, and family can pay their respects to the mighty and great man that Kobe Bryant was.
Coinciding with the revealing of Kobe Bryant’s statue, the Lakers are scheduled to face off against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, on February 8. This juxtaposition of celebration and competition adds a bittersweet element to the unveiling, underscoring the tremendous impact Bryant had on the sport of basketball while reminding us of his untimely departure from the game he loved.
The forthcoming unveiling of Kobe Bryant’s statue stands as a lasting tribute to the indelible mark he left on the Los Angeles Lakers, the city of Los Angeles, and the entire basketball world. This tribute serves as a physical representation of his immense contributions and will undoubtedly inspire generations to come.
Leave a Reply