Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Statue Ceremony Boasts Loaded Speaker List

The Black Mamba is being feted by legends.

An absolutely stacked cast of characters is in the midst of commemorating the bronze statue of Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant. 

As Jovan Buha of The Athletic relays, Bryant's former coach, Phil Jackson; his former assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who also, we hear, used to play a bit); his former point guard and fellow 1996 draftee Derek Fisher; his widow Vanessa; Los Angeles owner Jeanie Buss; and LA commentator Stu Lantz, all spoke in tribute.

Here's a shot of the group gathered onstage, via Buha:

The group speaking at today’s Kobe Bryant statue unveiling: Vanessa Bryant, Jeanie Buss, Phil Jackson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher and Stu Lantz. pic.twitter.com/b5It1B2r03

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 8, 2024

Bryant, an 18-time All-Star, five-time champion, and the 2008 MVP during his 20 seasons in Los Angeles, passed away in 2020.

The 6'6" swingman exploded onto the NBA scene upon being selected 13th overall in the 1996 draft as a 17-year-old high schooler. He quickly emerged as the closest thing to Michael Jordan possible, an athletic two-way force on the wing.

Paired up with All-NBA center Shaquille O'Neal for an eventful first eight seasons of his career, Bryant appeared in four Finals with the Big Diesel, winning three straight from 2000-02. After O'Neal was flipped to the Miami Heat in an acrimonious 2004 offseason divorce, Bryant became one of the most prolific scorers in the league. Another momentous trade brought Bryant's next All-NBA big man colleague, power forward/center Pau Gasol (who's in the crowd tonight, albeit in the audience, not on the stage), into the fold in February 2008. Together, LA's new dynamic duo immediately appeared in three straight NBA Finals, winning in 2009 and 2010.

Tune into the action right now (Jackson is speaking at present, we've already been treated to moving tributes from Lantz, Buss and Fisher) on Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum SportsNet+ and the Lakers' official site.