LOS ANGELES — The Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant on Thursday, immortalizing their late superstar with a 19-foot bronze likeness outside of Crypto.com Arena – with more physical tributes to honor his legacy still to come.
The pose for the statue was one of the league’s best-kept secrets.
In a 20-season career filled with iconic moments, picking one to capture his on-court legacy wasn’t an easy task.
But it was a decision Bryant made before he passed away more than four years ago, according to his widow, Vanessa Bryant, who unveiled the statue in front of more than 700 people, a gathering consisting of friends, family, dozens of Laker greats, former teammates and limited season-ticket members.
“For the record, Kobe picked the pose you’re about to see,” Vanessa said, “so if anyone has any issues with it, tough s—. It is what it is.”
The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his No. 8 jersey with his right index finger raised as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance in a victory over the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006.
The sculpture is surrounded by replicas of the Larry O’Brien Trophy, representing the five NBA championships the team won during Bryant’s career. The triangular base – a nod to former Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter’s famed triangle offense, the bedrock of the Lakers’ success in the 2000s – is etched with “KOBE BEAN BRYANT” and his nickname “Black Mamba” and also features the box score from his 81-point game. It also features a Bryant quote: “Leave the game better than you found it. And when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.”
“I think of Kobe constantly, and I miss him and Gigi more than words can say,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. “But today, I’m filled with joy because, in the future, I know fans will gather here in the shade of this statue beside this building where Kobe gave us so many memories, and we will share what he meant to us. As we do…
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