On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a 19-foot bronze statue outside their downtown arena in memory of the late great.The 4,000-pound statue shows Bryant leaving the court after his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, wearing his white No. 8 jersey and raising his right index finger.
During the dedication ceremony, Vanessa, the widow of Kobe Bryant, announced that three statues will be erected in his honour. Bryant is the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers and five-time NBA champion. A third statue would show Bryant with his daughter Gianna, who perished in a helicopter crash in January 2020 along with him and seven other people, and another will show Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the second half of his career.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stated, “This statue may look like Kobe, but really it’s what excellence looks like.” “The appearance of discipline. What constitutes a committed person… While acknowledging that the individual is timeless and that the monument was erected in the first place, it also portrays a person stuck in time. We’re all gathered here to pay tribute to a man who embodies not just remarkable athletic accomplishment but also ageless principles that motivate us all to strive for excellence rather than merely improvement.Dozens of Lakers legends and hundreds of season ticket holders saw the unveiling of the first statue. Following statements from club owner Jeanie Buss, Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher, a former player, and longtime Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Vanessa Bryant spoke at the ceremony.
Buss remarked, “I miss Kobe and Gigi more than words can express. I think of Kobe all the time.” “Yet, I’m happy today 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 will talk about what he meant to us. We shall inspire a new generation to adopt the Mamba Mentality as we go along.After playing with the Lakers for his entire 20-year career, Bryant retired in 2016. With 33,643 points, he ranks fourth in NBA history for scoring. Among his many honours are 18 NBA All-Star selections and two NBA Finals MVP titles.
In Los Angeles, where he is still regarded as a revered symbol of his adopted city, his passing has not lessened the lustre of his presence. Throughout Los Angeles, there are hundreds of colourful public murals that showcase Bryant and his daughter.Lakers fans conjectured about the pose or image that would be immortalised in Bryant’s statue even before he passed away. Vanessa Bryant stated that there shouldn’t even be a dispute because Kobe selected the posture for the first statue before he passed away. However, the announcement of three more statues changes the argument.
“This moment isn’t just for Kobe, but for all of you who have been rooting for him all these years,” she said. “Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning.” “To the supporters in Los Angeles, Kobe was extremely proud to represent this unique city.” You have been so vital to him, our family, and his legacy since you embraced him with open arms.
“Seeing how much love you have for each and every one of us makes me happy. We reciprocate your affection.The words “Kobe Bean Bryant” are engraved on the base of the statue, behind which is his nickname, “Black Mamba.” Five Larry O’Brien trophy replicas surround 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.
The base has a QR code that allows fans to view performance highlights as well as the box score from his 81-point performance. There’s also a Bryant quotation included: “Leave the game better than when you found it.” And leave a legend behind you when the time comes to part ways.
Throughout his career, Bryant has been commemorated with a statue in Star Plaza outside of the Staples Centre, making him the seventh team member and sixth player overall to receive this honour. Along with him are Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Chick Hearn, the Lakers announcer.Fisher stated, “He wasn’t just a champion.” He was superior to everyone else. A unique example that motivated teammates and amazed rival players. He wasn’t merely a player. He clarified it. That was exactly how it felt to be in his presence every day. He established the norm. He achieved record breaking. His legacy lays the groundwork for present-day athletes as well as those to come to realise their aspirations.