American-born Kobe Bryant played basketball professionally. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), he played shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers for his whole 20-year career. Renowned for his exceptional skills, Bryant is considered as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He has won five championships, been an All-Star for eighteen seasons, been selected for the All-NBA team fifteen times, been named to the All-Defensive team twelve times, won the 2008 NBA MVP award, and been named the MVP of the NBA Finals twice. He is fourth in the league’s all-time scoring record for the regular and postseason seasons. He has also led the NBA in scoring twice. His inclusion in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 followed his posthumous induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers honoured their late superstar with a 19-foot bronze statue outside their downtown arena in honour of Kobe Bryant. The 4,000-pound monument shows Bryant leaving the court after his 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, wearing his white No. 8 jersey and raising his right index finger.
During the dedication ceremony, Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, stated that the inaugural statue is the first of three that would be made in memory of the five-time NBA champion and leading scorer in Lakers history. A third statue would show Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who perished in a helicopter crash in January 2020 along with him and seven other people. Another statue will show Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the second half of his career.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remarked, “This statue may look like Kobe, but really it’s what excellence looks like.” “The appearance of discipline. The manifestation of commitment. It depicts a person who is eternally present while also acknowledging that the statue was placed there in the first place. Today, we are gathered to pay tribute to a man who embodies not only exceptional athletic accomplishments but also ageless principles that motivate us all to strive for excellence rather than just improvement.
Many legendary Lakers players and hundreds of season ticket holders attended the ceremony to unveil the first monument. At the ceremony, Vanessa Bryant spoke following statements from longtime Lakers coach Phil Jackson, former teammate Derek Fisher, Abdul-Jabbar, and team owner Jeanie Buss. “There are never enough words to express how much I miss Kobe and Gigi,” Buss remarked. But today, I’m happy because I know that in the future, fans will come together under the statue’s shadow next to the building where Kobe gave us so many memories, and we’ll talk about what he meant to us. A new generation will be inspired to adopt the Mamba Mentality as we do this. After playing with the Lakers for his whole 20-year career, Bryant announced his retirement in 2016. With 33,643 points, he ranks fourth all-time in the NBA. Among his many honours are 18 NBA All-Star selections and two NBA Finals MVP titles. His passing hasn’t even slightly lessened his prominence in Los Angeles, where he is still regarded as a revered symbol of the city he has chosen. Numerous colourful public paintings throughout the Southland show Bryant and his daughter.
The attitude or picture that will be immortalised in Bryant’s statue was a subject of conjecture among Lakers fans even before his passing. The controversy surrounding the three monuments has been altered, but according to Vanessa Bryant, there shouldn’t even be a dispute because Kobe selected the posture for the first statue prior to his passing.
She remarked, “Kobe has so many people who have supported him all over the world from the very beginning, and this moment isn’t just for Kobe, but for all of you that have been rooting for him all these years.” “To the fans in Los Angeles, Kobe was extremely proud to represent this unique city.” You have been a huge support to him, our family, and his legacy since you greeted him with open arms.I’m glad to see how much you care for each and every one of us. You have our undying love.”
Below his moniker “Black Mamba,” the base of the statue reads “Kobe Bean Bryant.” There are five replicas of the Larry O’Brien Trophy surrounding the triangular platform, which pays homage to Jackson assistant Tex Winter’s renowned triangle offence, which was the cornerstone of the Lakers’ dominance in the 2000s. In addition to a QR code that allows fans to view performance highlights, the base has the box score from his 81-point shot. The phrase “Leave the game better than you found it” is another Bryant quotation that is included. Moreover, leave a legend behind you when the time comes to part.
Throughout his career, Bryant has been honoured with a statue at Star Plaza outside of the Staples Centre, making him the eighth team employee and sixth player to receive this honour. Alongside him are Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Chick Hearn, the Lakers announcer. Fisher stated, “He was more than just a champion.” “He was unrivalled.” An exceptional example that motivated teammates and amazed rival players. He did more than only participate in the game. That was defined by him. It was actually like that all the time you were with him. His standard was established. He set many records. Future and present players can build their aspirations on the foundations he leaves behind.
