Video: Kobe Bryant Statue Unveiled; Pays Tribute to Lakers Legend’s 81-Point Game

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers honored late franchise legend Kobe Bryant with a bronze statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Thursday prior to the team’s home game against the Denver Nuggets.

Kobe made that legendary pose after walking off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.

And if anyone has an issue with that, Vanessa Bryant has a message for them:

During an event capped by the unveiling, Vanessa Bryant also revealed that Kobe will be honored with three statues.

The No. 8 jersey statue was revealed first. There will also be a statue featuring Kobe in his No. 24 jersey. The third statue will feature both Kobe and his second-eldest daughter, Gianna.

Speakers at the event included Bryant, Phil Jackson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Derek Fisher and Jeanie Buss. A host of former teammates in addition to numerous Lakers legends were there as well.

Bryant’s accolades include five NBA championships, the 2008 NBA MVP award, 18 All-Star Game appearances, 11 All-NBA first-team honors and a pair of Olympic gold medals. He is also a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Lakers unveiled the statue on February 8, 2024 (2/8/24). All three numbers have great significance to Bryant, who wore Nos. 8 and 24 during his 20-year Lakers career. Gianna wore No. 2 on the basketball court, notably for the Mamba Academy team.

L.A. has now honored six legends (Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West) and one iconic announcer (Chick Hearn) with statues, per Tyler Dragon of USA Today.

As for the game, the Lakers will be wearing the team’s Kobe Bryant-designed Black Mamba uniforms against the defending NBA champions.

L.A. will be looking to win its fourth straight contest.