Source: reporterbuzz
A Bronze status of Kobe Bryant has been unveiled at Crypto Arena considered to be an emotional tribute to city’s beloved sports figure. Bryant will be presented wearing his uniform with No.8 on itwith his right index finger raised as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance which was against the Toronto Raptors in year 2006.
The statue’s base reads: “Kobe Bean Bryant,” with his nickname, “Black Mamba,” carved below. According to the reports, His widow Vanessa Bryant further states, “there will be three statues all together – others with Bryant wearing No. 24 and with Gianna, his daughter who was unfortunately killed in the same helicopter crash which took his life back in 2020. Though otherstatues were not displayed at the event.
Vanessa even mentioned “For the record, Kobe picked the pose you’re about to see”. This is what it is.” Talking about statue, It includes certain details that includes the names of Bryant daughters which is tattooed on his arm along with his championship trophies. If we talk about the base on which the statue sits, is said to be a triangular base.
Talking about public viewing, it will be available starting Friday morning at Crypto.com Arena. Derek Fisher who was Kobe’s former team mate along with Jeanie Buss, team icon KareemAbdul and his former coach Phil Jackson were also present in the ceremony as speakers.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said, “This statue may look like Kobe, but really it’s what excellence looks like”. This status represents a person in his timeless achievement.Contributing to that Jeanie Buss said, Trading for Kobe in 1996 set this franchise and this city on a journey that was beyond our wildest dreams.
Magic Johnson, Robert Horry& Pau Gasol were also present in the audience, who are known to be the former Laker greats.
Kobe was as rare soul, flawless. “I think of Kobe constantly,” she added. “I miss him and Gigi more than words can say. Joy of knowing that in future fans will gather here in the shade of Kobe’s statue beside this building where hecreated so many memories.
Jackson, who coached Kobe and the Lakers to five championships recalled several stories that depicted Bryant’s competitive nature, as well as his admiration for and rivalry with Michael Jordan.
At one point, Jackson said he was trying to teach Kobe to pass the ball more to his teammates, rather than trying to take over a game singlehandedly.”I arranged a meeting between Michael and Kobe, to give him a little impression of how to handle being in a restricted basketball system that relied on passing the ball to available teammates and wanting to go one on one with his guy in front of you”.
SO when the meeting started “He sat down and he said ‘Michael, I can take you one on one. To this Michael said, ‘Well, I think you might I’m 37 You’re 22 right?'”
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant, honoring the late superstar with a 4,000-pound bronze likeness outside their downtown arena.
Vanessa Bryant said during the dedication ceremony the statue is the first of three that will honor the five-time NBA champion. pic.twitter.com/VQMiTni5xF
— ABC News (@ABC) February 9, 2024
Fisher said, “He wasn’t just a champion” he was unmatched. He left his opposing players in awe along with his teammates inspired. That’s how it was like to be around him on a daily basis. Be is setting the standards or breaking the records it was extraordinary. The legacy he leaves behind are foundations upon which current players and future players build their dreams.”
Quoting Kobe Bryant “Leave the game better than you found it and when the comes for you to leave, leave a legend.”
