On February 8, Los Angeles is getting ready to honor one of its most cherished sons, Kobe Bryant. In conjunction with a special Lakers game versus the Denver Nuggets, the much anticipated statue of the basketball star will be unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena. The team will proudly don the legendary Black Mamba alternate uniforms designed in collaboration with Bryant himself in remembrance of Bryant’s legacy.
Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiling and Return of the Black Mamba Jersey
Meaningful Importance of the Selected Date
The date February 8th chosen for this event adds to its importance and 2-8-24 is a direct reference to Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers 8 and 24 as well as a tribute to his daughter Gianna who wore number 2 in her youth basketball career. This thoughtful gesture reflects the Bryant family’s long-lasting impact on the Lakers and their fans.
Kobe Bryant’s statue joins those of other Lakers greats such as Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, and Magic Johnson who are all preserved outside the arena. Unfortunately, Kobe will share the honor of receiving the award subsequently with broadcaster Chick Hearn. However, the ceremony promises to be an emotional and celebratory occasion confirming Bryant’s unrealistic mark on the team and the sport.
Kobe Bryant co-designed the Black Mamba uniforms which perfectly capture his spirit and strong competitiveness. The black and yellow design with snakeskin detailing pays tribute to his rookie season while the “LA 24” on the belt and his jersey numbers on the shorts add to the tribute. These jerseys haven’t seen much action on the court in recent years but on Thursday night they will undoubtedly shine brighter than ever carrying the weight of Bryant’s legacy and the fans shared respect.
If you are unable to attend the revealing ceremony in person, Spectrum SportsNet will provide live coverage beginning at 3 p.m. PT on February 8th. While public access to Star Plaza will be restricted on the day of the event fans can visit the statue from Friday.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the upcoming event in which the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the historic night of Kobe Bryant’s statue revealing and the return of the Black Mamba jerseys is a definitely momentous and significant occasion full of both positive and sorrowful emotions.
First and foremost, the inauguration of Kobe Bryant’s statue outside Crypto.com Arena is a fitting tribute to one of basketball history’s most iconic figures. Bryant’s impact on the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles goes far beyond his on-court successes. He was a beloved son of the city as well as a basketball legend.
