2-8-24. For Angeleno basketball fans, the last two numbers are synonymous with the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant, who wore both during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 2 at the beginning represents the number Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, wore on the basketball court.
So it’s only fitting that today was the day Kobe joined the ranks of other Laker greats with the unveiling of a statue in his likeness outside of Crypto.com arena (popularly known among fans as “The House that Kobe Built”).
The new statue, the first in a series of three, was unveiled late Thursday afternoon, ahead of the team’s showdown with the defending champion Denver Nuggets. It commemorates the first stage of Bryant’s career and depicts the iconic moment he walked off the court after scoring 81 points, a career-high, and features the names of Bryant’s daughters emblazoned on his arm and a triangle at the base, a nod to former Lakers Coach Phil Jackson’s signature triangle offensive scheme.
According to his widow, Vanessa, Bryant chose the moment himself. For those displeased with the statue, Bryant’s widow had just one thing to say: “Tough sh*t.” But she had some kind words for the fans as well, especially those in Los Angeles.
“This moment isn’t just for Kobe,” she said at the unveiling. “It’s for all of you that have been rooting for him, all of these years. To the fans here in LA, this was a city that Kobe was so proud to represent. It brings me joy to see how much love you have for all of us.”
The ceremony featured speeches from Laker greats Derek Fisher, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, as well as team owner Jeanie Buss and Jackson.
“Let us not just dwell on the sadness of how that feels, but let’s celebrate what their lives represented,” Fisher said. “Be the culture shifters that define the legacy of a true legend.”
For many around the community, this honor was long overdue, given the time that has passed since the January 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight — including Bryant and Gigi. However, for those who made the trip out to the arena, all that matters is that the statue is up and the community can now honor the great.
It’s only fitting that Kobe is the recipient of all these enormous honors, considering the impact he had on the court, as well as off of it. He is the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer and brought the city five championships. His charitable contributions have also had an outsized impact on the region also must not go unrecognized, as his foundation, and his involvement with Make-A-Wish, NBA Cares, and the Boys and Girls Club of America cement him as one of L.A.’s most community-involved sports figures of all time. In the national basketball landscape, he is one of the most celebrated and respected athletes ever.
For freshman Riley Sager, Kobe had an immense impact on her life, even though his impact was only felt through a television screen.
“Anytime anyone pictures the Lakers, they picture Kobe,” Sager said. “Kobe is so monumental in the Lakers’ legacy and I’m just so excited that he’s being honored this way.”
Bryant’s statue is the 12th outside of Crypto.com arena and is just one of the many ways his memory continues to live on. “Mamba Day” on 8/24, has been celebrated yearly since his retirement in 2016.
Upcoming statues will feature Bryant and daughter, Gigi, signifying his commitment to fatherhood, and the great’s later years after he switched his number to 24. Both the number 8 and the number 24 have been retired by the Lakers organization, making Bryant the first to have two numbers retired by the same team.