The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to start the playoffs and this year they have extra motivation. It’s been almost seven months since Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash while traveling to a young basketball tournament with daughter Gianna and seven other people. That was the most tragic event in NBA history and the Lakers want to honor KB24 this postseason, where they’ll try to win their first title since 2010 when Kobe led them past the Boston Celtics.
According to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers will wear the “Black Mamba” uniforms inspired and co-designed by Kobe Bryant in the playoffs, as long as they make it past the first round. They are ready to face the Portland Trail Blazers and if they overcome that dangerous team, then they’ll use the black uniform to honor one of the greatest Lakers of all time.
Sources: If Lakers advance past 1st round of playoffs over Portland, they plan to wear the Black Mamba jersey in honor of Kobe Bryant in following rounds. Jersey features a snakeskin print on the outside. Bryant, daughter Gianna and 7 others died in a helicopter crash in January.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) August 17, 2020
The team has been wearing the “KB” initials since his death but now it’s time to fully embrace that ‘mamba mentality’ that made Kobe one of the greatest winners in NBA history. This is a great gesture by the team, and Kobe’s fans and family will be touched with this.
We lost one of the most influential players ever, one who carried his team to win two titles after his best partner left. What better inspiration than Kobe for these Lakers?
This was already emotional and things are about to reach the next level. The Lakers can win the NBA championship amid a global pandemic after the league was suspended and during the same year that their biggest idol lost his life. They have plenty of reasons to be inspired. We’ll see how all those factors play in the postseason.
