Los Angeles Lakers choose a special day to unveil the statue of the late legendary Kobe Bryant
To the majority of fans, Kobe Bryant is always considered a legend and one of the greatest players in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers.
After “Black Mamba” retired in 2016, his two shirt numbers, 8 and 24, were permanently hung from the ceiling of the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena).
The representative of the yellow and purple shirt team, owner Jeanie Buss has just announced on the night of August 24 (Vietnam time) that Kobe Bryant will be erected a bronze statue outside the Crypto.com Arena:
“Kobe Bryant is one of the most extraordinary athletes of all time and one of the most iconic names in the history of Los Angeles sports.
There will be no better place to erect a statue of Kobe than right in the heart of this city (Los Angeles - PV), where any fan can come to admire, celebrate and be inspired by the Kobe's exceptional achievement".
The date of the unveiling of this statue was chosen very delicately, which is February 8, 2024 (abbreviated and rearranged according to American usage as 8/2/24). From small to big, respectively, are numbers 2 - 8 - 24, the three shirt numbers chosen when playing football by Kobe and his daughter Gianna.
Kobe's daughter unfortunately died in a tragic helicopter crash - Gianna Bryant - always wore the number 2 shirt when competing. Particularly, number 8 and 24 are the two shirt numbers that Kobe Bryant himself chose during his illustrious 20-year playing career in the NBA.
Other than hanging shirt numbers permanently, erecting statues is the highest form of gratitude that teams make to honor the greatest players in the club's history.
Kobe Bryant will be the 7th Los Angeles Lakers player to have the statue erected, alongside legends like Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and commentator Chick Hearn.
According to information from ESPN, Kobe personally participated in the planning process to erect the statue with the Lakers leadership. Unfortunately, he passed away before everything was realized.
“On behalf of my husband, daughter and the Bryant family, I am honored to know that right in the heart of Los Angeles, next to the home built by Kobe himself, we will have a statue to stand on. forever grateful for the legacy that Kobe Bryant left behind," said Vanessa Bryant.
The unveiling date of the Kobe Bryant statue (February 8, 2024 US time) will be the day the Los Angeles Lakers welcome the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
The rematch of this series of Western finals promises to bring more charm to the special day of those who love Kobe as well as the purple yellow jersey team.
