While typical heroes offer a connection to fans, sports heroes live on a different level. So, seeing tributes and other gestures pop up for these legends is unsurprising. In that vein, very few athletes share a bond as special with their city as Kobe Bryant with the city of Angels. For 20 years, Bryant was their one constant. Whether Championship highs or missing the playoff lows, the team and its fans had one man they could count on.

Throughout the city, multiple fanmade illustrations have popped up, each more beautiful than the last. Most of the time, though, they also contain a special nod to Gianna “Gigi” Bryant. This time around, however, it had another name synonymous with Kobe in the drawing. Behind the silhouette of the 2008 NBA MVP attempting a shot was the man who inspired and became a role model in his entire basketball journey – Michael Jordan.

With a historic Ring of Honor coming to pass for Michael, perhaps, now was a fitting time as any to include a tribute to the Chicago Bulls legend with his protege.

The Black Mamba was always a superstar reminiscent of a superhero in LA. However, since his passing, that fandom and love have grown multifold. One of the most common ways fans have shown their respect for the 5x NBA Champion is using murals.

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The latest piece is visible in Orange County, Golden Lantern & PCH, Dana Point, California. With a statue set to open outside the stadium, he helped build one of the most prestigious in the sport. More murals popping up throughout LA remains a distinct possibility.

Kobe Bryant statue set to be unveiled outside Crypto.com Arena

His wife, Vanessa Bryant, first broke the news of the statue being released sometime in 2024. However, what’s unique about this particular tribute is that it won’t be one featuring the Los Angeles Lakers legend singularly. Instead, it will also feature their daughter, Gigi.

With names like Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and others, all finding their place immortalized outside the arena, the next to join is one wholly deserving of the honor that comes with it.

It’s easy to see that the man was just as popular with management as he was with fans, with his influence visible in various parts of the organization as well. Perhaps that is the legacy that The Black Mamba left behind. 

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