Black Mamba, Hall of Famer, girl dad: World pays tribute to Kobe Bryant on his birthday

Vanessa Bryant also posts a heartbreaking birthday message
Aug 24, 2021
PHOTO: (Right) AP

IT FEELS so long ago since the untimely demise of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

Since the father-daughter pair were killed in a California helicopter crash in January 2019, the world was upended by the coronavirus crisis. The team to which Kobe devoted his entire career has gone through a bubble championship and a current rejiggering, bringing in Russell Westbrook — who, the former Wizards star revealed, once spoke with Bryant about playing for the Lakers.

August 23 would have been Kobe’s 43rd birthday. Many athletes posted their own tributes to the late superstar, who continues to exert an outsize influence on basketball and beyond.

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    PHOTO: (Right) AP
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