Lakers reveal emotional tribute to Kobe Bryant on 42nd birthday (Video)

The Lakers honored Kobe Bryant on what would’ve been his 42nd birthday.

August 23, 2020 should’ve been a day in which Kobe Bryant celebrates his 42nd birthday by looking back on his legendary NBA career. Instead, the NBA community is mourning Bryant’s passing, as he passed away at the age of 41 back in January as one of nine victims of a helicopter crash that also claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Several tributes to the Black Mamba have made their way onto social media, but none of them will top what his old franchise put together.

The Los Angeles Lakers created a tribute video honoring Bryant’s life and legacy. In just three minutes, the Lakers were able to convey how Bryant was both one of the greatest players to ever suit up in the NBA and a devoted father to his daughters.

The Lakers have done a wonderful job of honoring Kobe Bryant.

Listing off Kobe’s basketball accomplishments would be doing him a disservice, as only through constantly watching him play can one fully appreciate what a lethal scorer, automatic clutch performer, and fiery competitor he was.

Bryant had a very successful post-basketball career lined up. He could’ve gone down the filmmaking path, as he won an Oscar for his “Dear Basketball” short film, or the coaching route, as he was cutting his teeth with Gianna’s team. In one of the most shockingly tragic moments in contemporary sports history, both Kobe and Gianna were robbed of their futures in the blink of an eye.

Even though Kobe’s death is nearly seven months in the past, it’s still hard to believe that he and Gianna are gone. The Lakers, more than just about everyone except for his wife Vanessa, have made sure that his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players and fathers of all time remains as perfectly intact as it was right before he got on that helicopter.