The day after the birthday of late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant has become known as Mamba Day over the last few years.
This year the Lakers commemorated Mamba Day, Aug. 24, by announcing they will unveil a statue of his likeness on Feb. 2, 2024, outside of Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James has made his love and respect for Bryant clear ever since the latter was killed along with eight others in a 2020 helicopter crash. On Thursday, James posted a picture of himself with Bryant from many years ago, and he also posed at the Lakers’ facility near Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 (h/t The Cold Wire).
LeBron James poses in front of Kobe Bryant’s retired numbers at the Lakers facility for #KobeDay 💜💛
(via @KingJames/ IG) pic.twitter.com/pYf88dNoMg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 24, 2023
James’ Lakers used Bryant’s memory as inspiration during the second half of the 2019-20 season as they powered their way to the NBA championship. With a strong and balanced roster going into this season, perhaps they will make the Black Mamba proud once again by earning another Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
