Marking a Quarter Century Since the 2001 NBA Championship...

On this day 25 years ago, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers won their second straight NBA title in the Kobe-Shaquille O'Neal era. They went 15-1 in the playoffs that spring...sweeping the Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs before defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games during the NBA Finals.

That was an awesome postseason! We'll see what the Lakers do this summer in their attempt to become the kings of the West again. And then going on to win their 18th NBA championship in franchise history.

My SoCal Sports Wall of Fame, Updated!

Even though the Los Angeles Times was one day late in publishing coverage for Game 7 of the World Series in its newspaper (just like what happened last year), that didn't stop me from adhering to a tradition started in mid-2000 (when Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their first NBA title with the Lakers) and displaying today's Dodgers-celebrating printed edition on my wall at home!

Yesterday, I woke up at 4:00 in the morning to buy the L.A. Times paper—at a 7-Eleven over 15 miles from my house. The donut shop that I went to last year no longer carries the L.A. Times (only a Chinese newspaper that costs $1.00 per copy), and another 7-Eleven that I was planning to buy the commemorative edition from didn't have the paper delivered yet...supposedly (7-Eleven clerks are giving me the impression that they don't tell the truth). There were, I think, four copies of today's L.A. Times left at the 7-Eleven I eventually went to.

And in case you're wondering— no, I didn't go to today's championship parade in downtown Los Angeles. This is the second straight Dodgers celebration that I couldn't attend because I had a doctor's appointment in the late afternoon. I definitely intend on going to the parade if they manage to three-peat next year!

Go Dodger Blue.

THE DODGERS ARE BACK 2 BACK CHAMPIONS!

Over a year after they beat the New York Yankees in five games to win their second World Series championship since 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers were once again at the top of the baseball world when they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in a thrilling Game 7 tonight!

The Dodgers' victory is the first time in 25 years since a Major League Baseball team won back-to-back titles...the last time being when the Yankees were able to three-peat from 1998 to 2000. This is also the first time since 2009 that an MLB team reached the Fall Classic in two consecutive years—with the Philadelphia Phillies winning against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 but losing to the Yankees the following year. The Dodgers are also the first team to clinch back-to-back World Series championships on the road since the Cincinnati Reds pulled off the feat in 1975 and '76, respectively!

In regards to team stats, Mookie Betts now has four rings...from the 2018, 2020, 2024 and this year's World Series, respectively. Clayton Kershaw enters retirement as a 3-time World Series champion, while Shohei Ohtani went from winning zero titles during his six years with the Anaheim—err, Los Angeles Angels to securing two championships in his first two seasons in the City of Angels. And last but not least, Yoshinobu Yamamoto—who was given a $325 million contract to play with the Dodgers (and earned it by pitching two complete games this postseason, and was able to secure L.A.'s victory in the last three innings of Game 7)—is the 2025 World Series Most Valuable Player!

(Yamamoto is the second Japanese-born baseball player, behind the Yankees' designated hitter Hideki Matsui in 2009, to become a World Series MVP.)

The Dodgers' championship parade will take place in downtown Los Angeles this Monday. Assuming that Mark Walter (who officially owns the Los Angeles Lakers as well) and Co. keep dishin' out the money to get topnotch talent (like pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow...who both played on the Rays when they lost to the Dodgers in 2020) to play at Chavez Ravine, then Dodgers fans can expect more celebrations in the years to come.

Go Dodger Blue!

Lakers Update: The Luka Era Is Officially Here!

ESPN

Earlier today, 5-time NBA All-Star Luka Dončić officially solidified his place with the Los Angeles Lakers when he signed a 3-year contract extension worth $165 million. Dončić can become a free agent in 2028...which will mark his 10th year in the league and allow him to seek a 5-year deal worth $418 million with the Lakers. This financial windfall is dependent on Dončić declining a player option for the 2028-29 season, though.

So with Luka's future with the Lakers now secured, it remains to be seen what other moves the Lakers will make before NBA training camp starts on October 1st. And before I forget— Welcome to the Lake Show, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart! (I already blogged about Deandre Ayton's arrival to L.A. a month ago.)

The Lakers still have ways to go before they can match up with the defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, but Luka securing his spot as the successor to LeBron James once the 22-year veteran retires (or leaves the Lakers for another team before the 2026-27 season) is a start! Happy Saturday.

Behind-the-scenes of Luka signing his extension. pic.twitter.com/qMNwHOLsWj

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2025

History Was Made at Dodger Stadium Last Night (Plus a Lakers Update)...

Congrats to Clayton Kershaw for achieving his 3,000th career strikeout in the Dodgers' 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox yesterday! The left-handed pitcher and 2-time World Series champion accomplished the feat at the top of the 6th inning...striking out White Sox baseman Vinny Capra and becoming the 20th player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach 3,000 strikeouts.

In other Los Angeles sports news, the Lakers acquired center Deandre Ayton from the Portland Trail Blazers in a 2-year deal worth $16.6 million. Ayton will earn a total of $33.7 million next season since he is also owed $25.6 million from the Portland buyout.

The bottom line is, the Lakers have their new big man! We'll see how Ayton does playing with Luka Doncic and LeBron James (who recently opted in for $52.6 million next season...LeBron's 23rd in the NBA) this coming fall. Stay tuned!

Strikeout No. 3,000!

Clayton Kershaw becomes the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/mD7tM1POJC

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 3, 2025

DEANDRE AYTON IS A LOS ANGELES LAKER 🤯

How far can the Lakers go? 👀

(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/DmHhIemznW

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 2, 2025

The West Is the Best in the NBA Once Again...

Yesterday, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, in a thrilling but predictable Game 7 of the NBA Finals. I call it predictable because it was no longer a question mark as to who was gonna become the 2025 NBA Champion after the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton left the game due to an Achilles injury in the first quarter.

The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP trophy unsurprisingly went to the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander...over a month after he was crowned the 2024-'25 regular season MVP as well. This is the first time in 25 years where the league's regular season MVP winner went on to emerging victorious in the championship round. Shaquille O'Neal won the 1999-'00 regular season MVP before he and the Lakers proceeded to besting the Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals.

Speaking of the Lakers, Alex Caruso won his second NBA championship last night. His first title was with Los Angeles when it defeated the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. While naysayers assert that that championship didn't count (which it does) because it took place inside the Disney World 'bubble' in Orlando during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can't say the same thing about Caruso's second ring.

We'll see how the rest of the NBA reacts to the Thunder becoming the new king of the league. 2-time champion Kevin Durant will be traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets; now let's see how other teams—including the Lakers with their new owner—respond to OKC.

If the chart below is any indication, L.A. fans will have to wait till 2030 for the Lakers to bring the bling back to the City of Angels. (Also: Screw the 1960s!) And did someone place an actual curse on the Eastern Conference so that the West could win this postseason? Happy Monday.

Congrats, SGA! The last time a regular season MVP won the #NBAFinals was in 2000...when Shaq led the Lakers to a championship over the Pacers. pic.twitter.com/K99UYyWSck

— Richard Par (@RichTPar) June 23, 2025

CONGRATS ALEX CARUSO ❤️

THE BALD MAMBA IS NOW A 2X CHAMP 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/kE1itxXwr1

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 23, 2025

Remembering the Mamba's 1st NBA Championship (Oh, and the Lakers Have a New Owner Now)...

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

On this day 25 years ago, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Glen Rice, Robert Horry and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers played a high-powered Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers to win the NBA championship, 116-111, at STAPLES Center. Not only was this the Mamba and Big Diesel's first NBA title, it was also the 12th championship in Lakers franchise history and the 1st title for the team in 12 years...the last trophy-clinching victory being against the Detroit Pistons in the 1988 NBA Finals.

And in case you haven't heard yet, the Lakers will now be owned by the same folks who own the Los Angeles Dodgers! Yesterday, Mark Walter—the principal owner of the Dodgers and the CEO of diversified holding company TWG Global—acquired the Lakers from the family of the late Jerry Buss in a deal that's worth $10 billion. Jeanie Buss, Dr. Buss' daughter, will remain the Lakers' governor for the foreseeable future.

While the Lakers won't have the luxury to offer a $700 million deferred contract for 10 years to an NBA free agent like what the Dodgers did with Shohei Ohtani (due to the NBA's stringent salary cap aprons), the Lake Show will have the financial resources to hire more personnel for its front office that will allow the team to do a better job vetting players who'll improve the Lakers' chances of becoming a championship contender once more. Luka Doncic is onboard with the new ownership (as shown in the tweet below); now let's wait and see what LeBron James has to say about this.

Happy Juneteenth!

The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them…

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) June 19, 2025

What the Buss family bought the Lakers compared to what they're selling them for is WILD 😳 pic.twitter.com/w4nlPeLjAP

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 18, 2025

NEWS: Jeanie Buss and the Buss family are selling their controlling stake of the Lakers to Dodgers owner Mark Walter at a $10 billion valuation.

It's the highest sale ever for an NBA team and the most expensive franchise deal in U.S. sports history. pic.twitter.com/cbxSocquFd

— Boardroom (@boardroom) June 18, 2025

Remembering the Mamba's 5th and Final NBA Championship...

Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

On this day 15 years ago, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers played a low-scoring but epic Game 7 against the Boston Celtics to win the NBA championship, 83-79, at STAPLES Center. Exactly two years after they were humiliated by their arch-nemesis in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals at TD Banknorth Garden arena, the Lakers exacted revenge in a fitting end to their 3-year championship run that also included a win over the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.

This was the Lakers' 16th franchise title before LeBron James and Anthony Davis gave the Lake Show its 17th NBA championship in October 2020.

A Quarter Century Ago: The Lakers Clinched Their Spot in the 2000 NBA Finals...

Getty Images

25 years ago today, the Lakers made an epic comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers after Los Angeles was down by 15 points in the 4th quarter. In a run that included the famous alley oop from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O'Neal that resulted in a decisive dunk (see tweet below), the Lakers finally put an end to three straight disappointing postseasons that included two defeats by the Utah Jazz (in 1997 and a sweep in '98), and a sweep by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. And this run to the championship took place during the Lake Show's first NBA season at their new home, the STAPLES Center.

All I can say is, this was a classic game! Though I'll admit, I was so infuriated by the Lakers losing badly coming out of the 3rd quarter, that I pondered about becoming a Raptors fan had L.A. lost Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. Don't forget— Air Canada himself, Vince Carter, was still playing in Toronto at the time. Happy Hump Day!

This was before the Lakers went on to beating Indiana in that team's first appearance in the #NBAFinals. Godspeed, Pacers. 🥸 https://t.co/EyZKFmnLjQ

— Richard Par (@RichTPar) June 4, 2025

Farewell, AD... Welcome to the Lakers, Luka!

So late last night, I joined most of the sports world in being shocked upon reading the news that the Los Angeles Lakers were trading Anthony Davis (AD) to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic!

This trade comes less than a year after Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals (where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games), and almost five years after Davis helped LeBron James secure a 17th NBA championship for the Lakers.

I'm excited that Luka is coming to L.A.! Granted— I'm well aware that he's not a great defender like AD is, but Luka is only 25 years old (while AD turns 32 next month), and has lots of time to hone in his defensive skills. Lakers fans were expecting that Doncic would one day play in the City of Angels (presumably when he was no longer in his prime); they didn't expect this scenario to happen after the Slovenian point guard had only been in the NBA for less than 7 years!

Anyways, the Lakers also got forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in this trade, while the Mavericks added shooting guard Max Christie (who played well in the Lakers' victory against the New York Knicks last night) and a 2029 first-round pick to their lineup. The Utah Jazz was also part of this blockbuster deal, and got point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and this year's second-round picks from the Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.

This NBA season just got much more interesting! Thanks for bringing another championship to Los Angeles, AD... Your jersey will obviously be displayed on the rafters at Crypto.com Arena someday.

Marking Five Years Since We Lost the Mamba, His Mambacita and Seven Others...

Today marks half a decade since Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other awesome individuals perished in a helicopter crash at Calabasas, California. We will never forget about them.

May They Always Rest in Peace.

On this day 5 years ago, the world lost 9 beautiful people, but heaven got 9 wonderful angels 🙏

Gone, but never forgotten ❤: • John Altobelli • Keri Altobelli • Alyssa Altobelli • Christina Mauser • Sarah Chester • Payton Chester • Ara Zobayan • Gianna Bryant • Kobe… pic.twitter.com/fAQazQ8DkN

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 26, 2025

My SoCal Sports Wall of Fame, Updated!

Even though the Los Angeles Times was one day late in publishing coverage for Game 5 of the World Series in its newspaper, that didn't stop me from adhering to a tradition started in mid-2000 (when Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won their first NBA title with the Lakers) and displaying today's Dodgers-celebrating printed edition on my wall at home!

Yesterday, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to buy the L.A. Times paper...with all but one store that I drove to (a donut shop in West Covina, versus 7-Elevens for the other visits I made around the cities of Diamond Bar and Pomona here in Los Angeles County) running out of Thursday's edition. To make things hilarious for those jerks who apparently bought multiple copies of the paper so that there wouldn't be any left for other customers to purchase yesterday, the L.A. Times had Game 5 coverage only on its website. Everyone had to wait till this morning to buy the commemorative paper celebrating Los Angeles' second Major League Baseball championship in five years.

I woke up at 5 AM today to ensure that would be a lot more papers left at that donut shop before I made my purchase. There were six in stock, and I bought two. (There were two papers remaining on the shelf yesterday.)

So while the Dodgers' 2024 championship coverage now graces my bedroom wall instead of the 2020 title, one wonders when I'll replace the newspapers celebrating the Lakers' 2020 NBA Finals victory and the Rams' 2022 Super Bowl win at home. The way that the Lakers and Rams are currently playing (the Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers—who are currently undefeated—two days ago, while the Rams are 3-4 in the NFC West right now), probably not anytime soon!

Go Dodger Blue.

A New Statue Outside of Crypto.com Arena Has Immortalized the Mamba and Mambacita...

New Downtown Sculpture Honors Kobe and Gianna Bryant and Their Love of Basketball and Family (News Release)

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Bryant family have installed a new permanent fixture outside of Crypto.com Arena honoring five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onor'e Bryant.

Celebrating Kobe's love for his daughters, the bronze statue recognizes his unwavering pride in being a "Girl Dad" and the Bryant family's support for women and girls in sports. The tribute represents Kobe and Gianna's exceptional basketball legacy and the uplifting relationship that Kobe shared with all four of his daughters.

Speaking to an intimate group of friends and family who joined her to honor the moment, Vanessa Bryant said:

"We merged two iconic courtside moments of Kobe and Gigi. Gianna has her gorgeous smile on her face and Kobe is kissing the top of her head while wearing the Philadelphia Eagles beanie that Gigi gifted him for Christmas.

"He’s also wearing a WNBA hoodie he wore courtside to the game with Gigi. Kobe was the first NBA player to wear that orange hoodie to a big game and that was to show his support for Gigi's dreams and for women across all sports.

"That was a moment he shared with Gigi that will always be a powerful representation of the movement towards equality that was always so important to our family.

"We were faced with the harsh reality that no matter how great Gianna was or could be, no matter how great her daddy taught her how to play, or even if she played exactly like Kobe, she would not have had the same benefits and opportunities that her dad and young men currently have because she’s a girl. That’s when the challenge to change the perception of women’s sports started in our household.

"Gianna would be going into her first year of college this year. We would be watching her shine on the court.

"Now her spirit is shining a path she has created for young girls and for women in sports. In honor of Kobe and Gigi, I ask you this: give young girls your time. Give them your support. Tell them they can do anything any man can do and tell them they can exceed that, because they can, they have and they will.

"Iron sharpens iron. Reassure that confidence and see how much they thrive. Sometimes, all we need is one person to believe in us, even if that one person is ourselves.

"Take girls to watch women play sports. Buy those tickets to the game if you can. Watch women’s games on TV with your daughters, nieces and cousins.

"If young girls can see professional women play, they know they have the potential to be them. They know those ambitions aren’t just dreams but will become a reality.

"Let’s build up the next generation of athletes. It’s what Gigi and Kobe would want us to do.

“Kobe was the ultimate Girl Dad and Gigi was the ultimate Daddy’s girl.”
Situated outside Crypto.com Arena's 11th Street Entrance near Chick Hearn Court and Georgia Street, the sculpture pays tribute to Kobe and Gianna sitting courtside at the Lakers. Originally designed by Karon Davis and created by the artists of Rotblatt Amrany Studio, the sculpture shows Kobe with his arm around Gianna and angel wings behind them.

The two are surrounded by hedges and rounded symmetrical benches reflecting an Italianate Garden as a nod to Kobe’s childhood in Italy. Purple and gold flowers throughout give a wink to the iconic Lakers colors that Kobe wore for 20 years.

Engraved butterflies made of purple onyx and golden vein onyx border the flowers symbolizing transformation and hope.

In the foreground of the statue is a plaque etched with "Gianna Bryant, Inspirational Icon for Girls in Sports" and "Kobe Bryant, Proud Supporter of Women in Sports" with the Mamba and Mambacita logo center.

Underneath the names are words from the "Most Valuable Girl Dad" stating, "Gianna is a beast. She's better than I was at her age. She's got it. Girls are amazing. I would have five more girls if I could. I'm a girl dad."

Today’s installation date marks special significance as 8/2/24 honors both numbers that Kobe wore during his career with the Purple and Gold (8 and 24), and the number Gigi wore playing competitive youth basketball (2).

The statue will be open and available for public viewing starting Saturday, August 3, at 9 a.m. PT.

Source: NBA.com

****

The Bryant family. Forever a beacon of love, strength and hope 💜 pic.twitter.com/GU71bNzUK9

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 2, 2024

The Bryant Legacy 🖤🦋 pic.twitter.com/hOMTEqkfM6

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 3, 2024

PARIS 2024: Let the Games Begin!

Almost seven years after Paris was officially designated as the site for the Games of the 33rd Olympiad, the 2024 Summer Olympics finally commenced this morning during a rain-soaked opening ceremony at the City of Light.

These Olympic Games are occurring 100 years after France last held the world's biggest sporting event—with the 1924 Paris Games marking the 8th Olympiad.

On Team USA's side, the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James was the flag bearer for the American team...which consists of 594 athletes who rode on a giant ferry down the Seine River during the opening ceremony.

In regards to U.S. and Canadian celebrities who showed up in Paris today, rapper Snoop Dogg was one of the Olympic torch bearers, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were on-hand to promote their upcoming November film Wicked, while Lady Gaga had a musical number on a large staircase that overlooked the Seine. Celine Dion serenaded the crowd from atop the Eiffel Tower prior to the Olympic cauldron being lit about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) away, near the Louvre.

Even Arno Dorian—the main character from the 2014 video game Assassin's Creed Unity (whose story takes place during the French Revolution)—made an appearance thanks to a costumed parkourist who spent most of the opening ceremony leaping across rooftops and inside different locales throughout Paris.

I'm absolutely stoked to watch the Summer Olympics on TV whenever I can over the next 14 days (technically, Olympic competition officially started two days ago)! I can't wait for gymnast Simone Biles, swimmer Katie Ledecky, track and field athlete Noah Lyles as well as LeBron and the rest of the U.S. men's basketball team to win gold for Team USA during these Games!

Though one question remains: Will the Olympic cauldron remain airborne 24/7 over the next two weeks? The answer is no.

Did somethin today. 💯👊🏿🔥 #FollowTheDogg pic.twitter.com/G4ugnUFssO

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 26, 2024

Remembering Mr. Clutch...

Rest in Peace, Jerry West.

The architect behind the Shaquille O'Neal/Kobe Bryant Lakers championship teams, as well as the inspiration behind the NBA logo itself, peacefully passed away today at his home in Los Angeles.

West was 86.

Along with being the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP even though he was on the losing team (when the Boston Celtics beat the Lakers in 1969 to win the championship), West was a Hall of Fame executive who left a mark not only with the Lakers, but also with the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.

With eight championships as an executive under his belt (from 1980 through 2017), West's greatest achievement as an NBA general manager was bringing Shaq and Kobe to Los Angeles back in the summer of 1996. Lakers fans will eternally be grateful for everything that he did for the City of Angels.

Say hi to Bill Walton and Kobe for us, Jerry.

Photos of the Day: Visiting the First Mamba Statue in Downtown LA...

Richard T. Par

A few hours ago, I drove down to Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles to see Kobe Bryant's statue...the first of three that will be made in honor of the late and great Lakers champion.

Compared to the statues of other Lakers players (such as Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the late Elgin Baylor, as well as the L.A. Kings' Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Brown) on display at Crypto.com's Star Plaza, Kobe's monument is much more adorned—with the five championship trophies that the Mamba won during his 20-year NBA career near his feet, a quote by Kobe and his Nike logo on one side of his statue's pedestal, and Kobe's player stats and a photo of him raising an arm to celebrate his 81-point game in 2006 (directly above and below) on the other side of the pedestal.

It hasn't been publicized as to when the last two statues of the Mamba will be unveiled, but I can't wait to see them in person as well!


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par

The Mamba Has Officially Been Immortalized Outside of Crypto.com Arena...

Lakers Reveal Kobe's Statue (News Release)

The level of inspiration that Kobe Bryant provided in his twenty years as a Laker is hard to quantify.

When his statue was revealed following a poignant ceremony outside of Crypto.com Arena on Thursday afternoon, that inspiration was sure to hit Lakers fans, Kobe's former teammates and especially his family in myriad ways.

"Kobe has so many people that have supported him all over the world from the very beginning, and this moment isn't just for Kobe, but it's for all of you that have been rooting for him all of these years," said Kobe's wife, Vanessa, in the anchor leg of five speeches honoring the Black Mamba. "To the fans here in LA, this is a special city. Kobe was so proud to represent. You welcomed him with open arms and have been so important to him, our family and his legacy. It brings me joy to see how much love you have for all of us. We love you back."

Kobe's statue, standing 19 feet tall, portrays an image of No. 8 after he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. Kobe was 27 years old in his 10th NBA season, at the midpoint of his spectacular Hall of Fame career. Kobe is pointing up with one finger, an image that can be interpreted in many ways.

****

For Kobe. For the die-hard Laker fans. For our family.

Mamba forever. pic.twitter.com/uExf0oEWgY

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024

Kobe Bryant's statue features his pose from his 81-point game.

Mamba Forever. pic.twitter.com/fkk2r4FDKI

— KICKS CREW (@kickscrew) February 9, 2024

Legends live forever. pic.twitter.com/8RkQA4ls6v

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 9, 2024

The Lakers' NBA Cup Championship Banner Is Revealed...

I'm digging this new banner. Screw the haters...

Let's overlook the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the New York Knicks, 114-109, in the game at Crypto.com Arena afterwards.

L.A. Continues to Prove Why It's the City of Champions (and Future Champions)...

ESPN

Last Saturday, Los Angeles sports fans were in an extremely jubilant mood when two exciting events occurred in baseball and basketball that day: all-star pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani joining the Los Angeles Dodgers for next season, and the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Indiana Pacers, 123-109, in Las Vegas to win the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament...aka the NBA Cup!

Ohtani, who played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2018 to this recent season, will join the Dodgers in 2024 to the tune of $700 million for 10 years. However, Ohtani will only make $2 million a year over the next decade (for a total of $20 million, since I like to unnecessarily spell things out)...as he is deferring the remaining $680 million till after his contract is up in 2034.

This contract set-up allows the Dodgers to spend money on acquiring other players that will hopefully help Ohtani win a World Series title with this team before the end of the deal...such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the current pitcher for Japan's Orix Buffaloes.

In regards to the Lakers, they resume regular season play tomorrow (against the Dallas Mavericks) after going undefeated in seven games to win the In-Season Tournament. As hoped for, the Lake Show will raise a championship banner for the NBA Cup during a home game (against the New York Knicks) at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, December 18!

And yes, this makes up for the Los Angeles Football Club losing the Major League Soccer championship to the Columbus Crew, 1-2, in Ohio two days ago. That is all.


NBA.com

The Mamba Will Be Immortalized Outside of The Crypt Early Next Year...

NBA.com

Lakers to Unveil Kobe Bryant Statue on 2.8.24 (Press Release)

On 2.8.24, fans can forever pay tribute to beloved Lakers Legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers and Vanessa Bryant announced today that they will unveil Kobe Bryant's bronze statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena on February 8, 2024, prior to the Lakers' home game that evening.

"As you know, Kobe played his entire 20-year NBA career as a Los Angeles Laker," said Vanessa Bryant in a video to fans posted at 8:24 this morning. "Since arriving in this city and joining the Lakers organization, he felt at home here, playing in the City of Angels. On behalf of the Lakers, my daughters and me, I am so honored that, right in the center of Los Angeles, in front of the place known as the house that Kobe built, we are going to unveil his statue so that his legacy can be celebrated forever."

The February 8 ceremony will be outside the arena and details will be released in the coming months. Tickets to attend this special Lakers game on February 8, as well as the entire 2023-24 season, are available starting on August 25 at 12pm PT.

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Kobe’s legacy immortalized.

2•8•24 pic.twitter.com/WHQBXZJ2gD

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 24, 2023