Remembering Kobe Bryant and his legendary stats

The legendary NBA All-star Kobe Bryant was remembered and not forgotten on his 43rd birthday on Monday. Time has certainly passed, but all the respect and memories of the Lakers legend remain.

Gone but Not Forgotten

The Lakers star died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, with his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven more. The Los Angeles Lakers legend who won five championships with the LA Lakers was born on August 23, 1978.

Black Mamba. Hall of Famer. Girl Dad.

Happy Birthday, Kobe 🖤 pic.twitter.com/nUs6HwyjqR

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2021

After his passing, Bryant’s induction in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has intensified his legendary stature. Bryant also gained the NBA title as the All-Star MVP award after his five-time champion league. Bryant’s idol Michael Jordan represented him, and his wife, Vanessa, gave a speech in his place.

This Kobe Bryant tribute from Snoop Dogg 💜 💛 pic.twitter.com/IGNT0IQVB3

— ESPN (@espn) August 23, 2021

No one will ever forget Bryant as one of the best players of all time. His achievements are evident during his 20-year career. Fans, including young players, look up to him and want to follow in his footsteps. It’s all due to his accomplishments and also his unquestionable work ethic.

Aside from being an unfathomable NBA champion, Bryant is also an Oscar winner and author. His idea for a book never went to waste as Legacy, and the Double was published and released. Sadly, he died before he could review the final drafts of the book.

Mamba Forever. 💜💛

Happy Birthday, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/TpHJtumvn9

— LAFC (@LAFC) August 23, 2021

Vanessa, Bryant’s wife, is now the president of the multi-media original content that Bryant has formed. Annie Matthew wrote the books, and she said that Vanessa and another editor assisted on the final drafts. The goal of Legacy and the Double is to inspire and lift the spirits of young athletes, particularly girls.

Everyone, including Bryant’s fans, was moved by one of Kobe’s all-time quotes, “You can’t be held captive by the fear of failure or the fear of what people may say.” This is the quote he carried through throughout his career.

The Black Mamba’s impact on NBA players

After the NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounpo expressed how much Bryant has influenced him and impacted his career. “It started almost like a joke at first. He was in a Nike ad, I think, and he was sending challenges to players. And I was like, let me shoot my shot, and he was like MVP.

Happy birthday 🐐🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/CnzSJDEYJo

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) August 23, 2021

“But at first, I was like joking. I didn’t think he would respond to me. But when he did, he made me believe. I’m like, Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this? I can lay at a high level and lead my team and win MVP. I had to do it.”

Even Lebron James was a fan as he got advice from Bryant when he was still in high school at a basketball camp back in 2001. The Black Mamba was the speaker, and James clearly remembered his speech. “Don’t rely on basketball for your happiness because it’s not going to happen. Make sure you balance your life out, you have something there for yourself in life, so when the game is over, you know exactly what you want to do.”

His supporters, along with those who knew him personally, played their part in flooding the social media with good wishes on what was supposedly Bryant’s birthday. All the greetings also never missed mentioning Bryant’s daughter, Gianna.

Happy birthday to the 🐐 @kobebryant miss you killa 🙏🏾💜💛

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 23, 2021

Happy birthday brother. Miss you 🖤#MambaForever 🐍 pic.twitter.com/RNkW6jJd6b

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2021

pic.twitter.com/esDT1iRovR

— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) August 23, 2021

His loyalty to his team is incomparable. As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said, no one ever matched Bryant’s loyalty to only one franchise. His loyalty to his team is incomparable. As Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said, no one ever matched Bryant’s loyalty to only one franchise.

Damian Lillard wants to follow Kobe’s footsteps as there are rumors of trading him. Lillard said he hopes to do the same for himself just as Kobe does with his loyalty to the Lakers.

After one year and a half, Kobe Bryant’s death is still unbelievable. At age 41, the impact he left on the basketball world and society just shows how he really is as a person and how much he had achieved in his lifetime.