As we all know, as of January 2020 Los Angeles Laker legend Kobe Bryant, and his daughter Gianna, passed away and an incredibly unfortunate helicopter accident. Almost 3 whole years have gone by since this tragic event and since they have been gone the world refuses to forget their names. Kobe and Gianna Bryant murals have been marked all across Los Angeles, as well as numerous remembrances before the start of select WNBA and NBA games. As their deaths affected not only basketball fans around the world but entrepreneurs and families everywhere, close friends such as Lebron James would get the full impact of emotions from the loss of one of his best friends and mentors.
Lebron James has made numerous public statements to honor the life of Kobe Bryant in order to keep the Mamba spirit alive in everyone. Just before Game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals Lebron was spotted walking into the arena wearing an honorable shirt with the words “More Than Ever With Love” inscribed onto the fabric, along with a picture of the hall of famer. The NBA community made it apparent to remember the ‘Black Mamba’ himself by putting together a compilation video of Kobe giving wisdom to the youth; “Have a good time, enjoy life. Life is too short to get bogged down and discouraged. You have to keep moving, you have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling,” he expressed in one of the videos.
This past Monday, August 23, 2021, Kobe Byrant would have turned 43 years old with the following day officially being acknowledged throughout the basketball community as ‘Mamba Day.’ Vanessa Bryant announced through an Instagram caption that “this Mamba Day the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation has partnered with Nancy Lieberman Charities to open 3 Dream Courts this Fall… The Legacy project, in honor and memory of Kobe and Gianna, will serve as a safe play space for the youth in the community to interact with friends and family.” After a 20-year long marriage, it seems Vanessa Byrant knew exactly how to honor the passing of her beloved daughter and husband.