By Isabelle Baldwin for Dailymail.Com
02:43 09 February 2024, updated 07:35 09 February 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant on Thursday, honoring their late superstar with a 19-foot bronze figure outside their center arena.
The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger raised as he leaves the court after his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, said during the dedication ceremony that the statue is the first of three that will be created to honor the five-time NBA champion and Lakers’ all-time leading scorer.
Another statue will depict Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore in the second half of his career, while a third will depict Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who died with him and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“And for the record, Kobe chose the pose you’re about to see. So if anyone has any issues with it, hard s-. It is what it is,” she added.
The first statue was unveiled at a ceremony attended by dozens of Lakers greats and hundreds of season ticket holders. Vanessa Bryant spoke at the ceremony following remarks from owner Jeanie Buss, former teammate Derek Fisher, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and longtime Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
“It goes without saying that today is a particularly sad day for us as Kobe and Gigi are not here for what is supposed to be an incredibly joyous moment and Kobe’s legacy,” Vanessa began. “Kobe has had so many people supporting him all over the world since the beginning. And this moment is not just for Kobe, but for all of you who have supported him all these years.
“And for the fans here in LA, it’s a special city that Kobe was so proud to represent.” You welcomed him with open arms and were so important to him, our family and his legacy.
“I think about Kobe all the time and miss him and Gigi more than words can say,” Buss said. “But today I am filled with joy.”
The base of the statue reads: “Kobe Bean Bryant” with his nickname “The Black Mamba” carved underneath. The platform is surrounded by five replicas of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The base also includes the box score from his 81-point game, along with a Bryant quote: “Leave the game better than you found it. And when it’s time to leave, leave a legend.
Bryant is the sixth Lakers player and the seventh team employee to be honored with a statue in the Star Plaza outside the arena known as Staples Center throughout Bryant’s career. He joins Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Lakers spokesman Chick Hearn.
The date of the ceremony – 8/2 – was symbolic. Number 2 was the jersey number of aspiring basketball player Janna Bryant, and her father wore number 8. The two and seven others were killed on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash.
The dedication took place in front of a small group and not for public viewing except on television, and local heavy rains this week forced the ceremony to be held under a tent. The public can visit the statue from Friday morning.
Bryant joined the Lakers as a teenager straight out of high school and spent his entire career in Los Angeles, winning five NBA titles and retiring after the 2015-16 season. In the history of a franchise full of great players, Bryant holds multiple team records, including points and games played.
His 33,643 points are fourth in NBA history, with three men who played for the Lakers — LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone — standing ahead of him.
“It’s right,” James told the Los Angeles Times of the statue. “I mean, the guy spent two decades in the organization, won multiple championships, set a precedent for what it means to strive for excellence.
“His achievements speak for themselves. Not just his inspiration, but how he inspires off the court as well, in the community and throughout the basketball landscape. So I think it’s a beautiful moment not only for him but also for his family.
