LOS ANGELES — This was the pose Kobe chose before his untimely death, the one he wanted for his eventual statue outside the Lakers downtown arena.
That he couldn’t be there to see it added a slightly somber mood to what was largely a celebration of a life well lived — the Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant outside the Crypto.com Arena that he forever will be associated with, where he led the Lakers to five titles.
For Kobe. For the die-hard Laker fans. For our family.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024
Mamba forever. pic.twitter.com/uExf0oEWgY
“Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning, and this moment isn’t just for Kobe, but it’s for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years,” Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, said at the ceremony. “To the fans here in LA, this is a special city Kobe was so proud to represent. You welcomed him with open arms and have been so important to him, our family, and his legacy.
“It brings me joy to see how much love you have for all of us. We love you back.”
Eighty-one. Forever. pic.twitter.com/v6Wfxkk5m1
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024
The statue, which reads “Kobe Bryant and “Black Mamba,” has five replicas of the NBA championship Larry O’Brien Trophy around the base, as well as a triangle shape in parts, a nod to the Lakers’ triangle offense that Kobe thrived in. It also features a Kobe quote: “Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.”
There will be three Kobe statues outside the arena, it was announced Thursday. One with his No. 24 number, and another with his daughter Gigi, who died with him in a tragic helicopter crash with seven others four years ago.
The unveiling featured his former coach Phil Jackson, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, his former teammate Derek Fisher as well as Vanessa Bryant.
“This statue may look like Kobe, but really it’s what excellence looks like,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “What discipline looks like. What commitment looks like.”
The emotion was palpable at the ceremony as well as in and around Crypto.com Arena, with a lot of fans there in support of a Lakers’ legend who moved the city.
“It’s one of those things where you always remember where you were,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of learning about Kobe’s death. “I was in Paris having dinner with my wife, we had just finished up an NBA Europe game. I had to take a walk. It’s tough. It’s still tough to this day.”
A lot of Lakers fans feel that way, too. Which is why these statues will hold a special place in Lakers fans’ hearts.
