Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant would have celebrated his 47th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 23, and current and former members of the organization paused to honor his memory online.
Family and former teammates lead the remembrances
Vanessa Bryant opened the tributes with an Instagram post dedicated to her late husband. Soon after, LeBron James added a message on his Instagram Story, while longtime teammate Pau Gasol tweeted, “Happy Birthday, hermano. I miss you and love you always,” along with a photo of the pair.
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson joined in, calling Bryant a “husband, girl dad, entrepreneur, friend, five-time champion, and one of the greatest to ever lace them up.” Former Laker Caron Butler also shared a graphic that read, “We miss you Kobe. Rest in peace & power.”
Legacy remains central to Lakers history
During his 20-year career in Los Angeles, Bryant captured five NBA championships, including a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. Both of his jersey numbers—8 and 24—hang in the rafters at Crypto.com Arena, and multiple statues of the superstar stand outside the venue.
Off the court, Bryant authored a best-selling book, worked as a basketball analyst and coached his daughter Gianna’s AAU team. The day after his birthday, Aug. 24, is observed annually as Mamba Day, further cementing his impact on the sport and the city.
Film project in development
Warner Bros. Pictures has optioned a screenplay chronicling Bryant’s journey from a 17-year-old draft pick to Lakers icon, potentially bringing his story to the big screen in the future.
Tributes are expected to continue throughout the weekend as fans and the Lakers organization remember Bryant’s accomplishments and enduring influence.
Source: Lakers Nation
