Nike salutes Lakers' Kobe Bryant with 'You Showed Us' ad

Nike saluted injured Lakers guard Kobe Bryant earlier this week with a "You Showed Us" ad on its Facebook page. The black-and-white image featured Bryant
Nike salutes Lakers' Kobe Bryant with 'You Showed Us' ad
Nike salutes Lakers' Kobe Bryant with 'You Showed Us' ad /

Nike saluted injured Lakers guard Kobe Bryant earlier this week with a "You Showed Us" ad on its Facebook page. The black-and-white image featured Bryant holding a basketball, with a checklist of his accomplishments presented one after another beginning with the words "You Showed Us." At the end, Nike concluded, "Now, show us again," a nod to Bryant's rehabilitation from a season-ending Achilles injury.

Here's a thumbnail look at the campaign. Click here for full-size.

kobe-bryant-you-showed-us-small

An unofficial video version with the "You Showed Us" theme, above, has emerged on YouTube, with highlights from Bryant's career accompanying the list of "You Showed Us" accomplishments.

The four-plus minute-long video includes footage from the 1996 NBA draft, the 2013 All-Star Game, his 81-point game against the Raptors, his time with USA Basketball, his famous lob to Shaquille O'Neal in the 2000 Western Conference finals against the Blazers, game-winners against the Heat, Kings and Suns, poster dunks against the Nets and Hawks this year and his post-injury free throws against the Warriors.

The following taglines silently narrate the clip.

You showed us that an 18-year-old could play with the best.

You showed us that a championship, an exhibition game and a charity event are all must-wins.

You showed us how to hit game-winner after game-winner.

You showed us that an 81-point game is a real thing.

You showed us that gold still matters.

You showed us the Mamba face.

You showed us how to demand perfection and demand it of everyone.

You showed us how to put big-boy pants on.

You showed us that you were never out of it. Ever.

You showed us how inspirational a pair of free throws could be.

Now, show us again.

Video via YouTube user ogkillergreen


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Ben Golliver
BEN GOLLIVER

Ben Golliver is a staff writer for SI.com and has covered the NBA for various outlets since 2007. The native Oregonian and Johns Hopkins University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles.