how his legacy still influences players

Many basketball lovers always engage in the discussion of who would be the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan or LeBron James. However, it is undeniable that Kobe Bryant will always be remembered during the conversation.

The eternal ‘Black Mamba’ passed away exactly four years ago, on January 26, 2020, after suffering a helicopter accident alongside his daughter, Gigi Bryantaged just 13, and eight other people, in Calabasasat California. Since then, the world of orange ball sport has never been the same.

Kobe dedicated most of his life to basketball, joining the NBA aged just 17, drafted directly from high school for the Charlotte Hornets. He retired at the age of 37, in 2016, after 20 seasons playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Largely responsible for the young people who lived in the 2000s generation and fell in love with the sport, many still throw any paper ball and shout: “Kobe!”, pointing to the sky.

“Go after your dreams.”

Kobe Bryant ♾️ pic.twitter.com/gU4SrmDWAq

— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 26, 2024

The number 24 stood out in a team that included countless other big basketball names and multi-champions, such as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Nealin addition to LeBron James in the team’s current squad, having also won titles in the city of Los Angeles. But Kobe was different. His identification with the franchise became gigantic and even today, when the Lakers are mentioned, Bryant is the first to be remembered.

Kobe Bryant was much more to basketball than many can understand. The player brought with him the famous ‘Mamba Mentality’, which inspired countless current-day players who grew up watching the number 24 play.

At the beginning of his league career, Devin Bookerof Phoenix Sunshe ended up becoming very close to his great idol, receiving a lot of advice that, according to him, made his career much better than he could have imagined. Jayson Tatumof Boston Celticsis another of Bryant’s considered ‘disciples’ and remembers situations in which his idol made him become a better person.

RIP Bean,

Kobe Bryant passed away 4 years ago today 🤧🐍 pic.twitter.com/yhFU2mQ2Xe

— Maha Sattva (@Maha_Sattva) January 26, 2024

Many are still inspired by Kobe, but few will be as dominant as the ‘Black Mamba’. Throughout his career, Bryant won five championships with the Lakers, forming one of the greatest and most dominant duos in the history of the sport alongside Shaq, which could have lasted much longer if it weren’t for the problems between the two off the court, even though Within the four lines, the understanding of both was magnificent to witness.

However, the one who inspires so many was certainly also inspired by someone. And Kobe was no different. His inspiration was even a Brazilian, Oscar Schmidt, great North American idol. The former player spent much of his childhood in Italy because of his father, Joe, who was also a professional in the sport, dueling countless times against the champion for the Brazil.

The famous ‘Mamba Mentality’, according to Kobe, was a big part of Mão Santa’s game, who had a hunger for shots and an unstoppable desire to always hit. The Lakers idol lived for years watching the team have one instruction after catching a rebound: pass again to number 24.

In 20 seasons playing professional basketball, Kobe Bryant won five NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002, 2008 and 2010), two Olympic gold medals (2008 and 2012), had 18 appearances in All-Star Game (third with the most appearances, behind only LeBron James (20) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19)), MVP of the 2007/08 season, in addition to being the fourth highest scorer in the history of the league, with 33,643 points scored.

More than deservedly, Kobe Bryant received his nomination for the Basketball Hall of Fame, still with the class of 2020, posthumously. Furthermore, at an event to celebrate the life of the number 24, big names in the sport, such as Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, spoke and gave kind words about the player so loved by everyone.

Even with controversies in his career, such as the accusation of sexual abuse against a 19-year-old maid in 2003, an episode that resulted in a public apology from the player and a millionaire gift for his wife, Vanessa Bryantas a request for forgiveness for the betrayal, Kobe will always be remembered by sports lovers for what he did on the court.

Four years after the tragic accident, Kobe and his daughter are still remembered by players. One of the player’s former teammates who are most keen to continue their friend’s legacy is certainly the Spaniard Pau Gasol. The NBA champion still visits the former athlete’s family on special celebrations, such as birthdays, and even named his own daughter Gianna as a way of honoring the late 13-year-old.

Now, what’s left for sports lovers is to always shout “Kobe!” when shooting a ball, so that number 24 will always be remembered and immortalized in every shot on basketball courts around the world.

Pau Gasol wishes Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Natalia, a happy birthday ❤️🙏🏽

(via @paugasol) pic.twitter.com/L3uB1iNNJI

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 20, 2024