A statue commemorating Kobe Bryant was unveiled outside the crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, made a poignant statement during the statue’s unveiling press conference. She addressed any potential criticisms, asserting that Kobe himself had selected the pose depicted in the statue.
Vanessa’s message was clear: objections were futile. She stated, “For the record, Kobe picked the pose you’re about to see. So if anyone has any issues with it, tough s—. It is what it is.” The statue captures Bryant with his finger pointed skyward, bearing his full name, Kobe Bean Bryant, and his moniker, the “Black Mamba.”
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This iconic pose immortalizes Bryant’s legendary 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. Additionally, plans are underway for two more statues honoring Bryant.
One will feature Bryant alongside his daughter Gianna, who tragically perished with him in the 2020 helicopter crash that claimed nine lives. The other statue will portray Bryant in his iconic jersey No. 24.
With the unveiling of this statue, Bryant joins an esteemed group of former Lakers—Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Elgin Baylor—whose statues grace the arena’s exterior.
