Sports World Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant on Lakers Star's 42nd Birthday
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NBA legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 42 years old Sunday, his first birthday since he, alongside his daughter, Gianna, and seven others, were killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.
Bryant's birthday comes on the eve of Kobe Bryant Day, which the LA City Council created in 2016 to commemorate him on the date made up of his two jersey numbers. This year, Nike announced that it will pay tribute to Bryant, during βMamba Week,β which runs from Aug. 23-29. Additionally, when the Lakers meet the Trail Blazers Monday for Game 4 of their series, Los Angeles will wear their special "Black Mamba" uniforms to honor Bryant.
On Sunday, countless figures from around the sports world remembered the all-time great. Here's a look at some of the tributes:
Father, Husband, Laker, Oscar Winner, Girl Dad, Author, Black Mamba, Champion, Mentor, Hall of Famer. Kobe Bryant β pic.twitter.com/yyxRzbuToz
β Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020
Happy 42nd Birthday my guy. You are missed!!! πππ½ #Mambaforever #KobeBeanBryant pic.twitter.com/sWrHAHWWLn
β Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 23, 2020
Was never not around Kobe and wasn't in awe!! He made everyone want to be better. Happy birthday giant!!! πͺππΎππΎ pic.twitter.com/yBxf7tVNQO
β π Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 23, 2020
Heroes come and go, but legends are forever. ππ #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hyG7X0bipC
β New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday #8 & #24 β€οΈ miss you!
β Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) August 23, 2020
ππ https://t.co/hwflFjuQHW
β Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) August 23, 2020
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ https://t.co/DxeesC67UG
β NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday Kobe 𧑠pic.twitter.com/yP9N1XXSrg
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2020
Remembering Kobe ππ 8.23.78 pic.twitter.com/l5dh9G6Vwl
β NBA (@NBA) August 23, 2020
Happy birthday Kobe! ππΎ π
β Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) August 23, 2020
RestInPeace. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/vPKXzVx9jG
Happy Birthday We miss You Kobe!! You set the bar, inspired & influenced so many! You personified true greatness and leave a legacy any hooper would dream of! On what would have been your 42nd Birthday we honor you!! #RIP #Mamba #KobeForever
β Quentin Richardson (@QRich) August 23, 2020
βπΎπβπΎ
pic.twitter.com/tH0ncCtZjk
π πππππ π ππππππ π
β Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 23, 2020
Happy Birthday Kobe. pic.twitter.com/UCZpDurYh9
βΎ Forever βΎ pic.twitter.com/gA1zLMWmCl
β Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 23, 2020
Happy birthday, Kobe.
β Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 23, 2020
We love you. We miss you. π€#MambaForever πβΎ pic.twitter.com/TIFWHphR3J
Better me. Better you. Better us. #MambaForever ππ€ https://t.co/8aa23ZAiPI
β Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) August 23, 2020
Mamba πππ
β Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) August 23, 2020
From the hearts of @DwyaneWade, @LisaLeslie, @derekfisher, @jewellloyd, @jaytatum0, @Arike_O and @sabrina_i20.
β The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 23, 2020
Love you always, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/XkzuXrCJTs
Happy birthday brother.
β Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2020
Kobe taught us to be better. A better scorer, better mentor, better father, better champion. Today, on his birthday, we continue his endless pursuit of better. ππ #MambaMentality #TeamNike @Nike @nikebasketball pic.twitter.com/M7OiPrA4F0
ππ½ happy birthday ππ½ pic.twitter.com/569dWzKSoK
β CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 23, 2020
Better | Mamba Forever | Nike
β Jewell B Loyd (@jewellloyd) August 23, 2020
ππ #MambaMentality #TeamNike pic.twitter.com/ccqEs5ps4z
Special kicks on a special day ππ@Candace_Parker | #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/DULmAsogtD
β Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 23, 2020
βΎ pic.twitter.com/ynspwyznRW
β Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 24, 2020