Kobe Bryant Statue: Anthony Davis Details His Connection With ‘Black Mamba’ and What It Means to Continue His Lakers’ Legacy

Very few athletes have such a long-lasting impact that it becomes eternal. One such icon was Kobe Bryant. Even a brief thought of the Los Angeles Lakers transports you to a Kobe fadeaway. A five-time champion with the organization, the legendary shooting guard spent all of his years in LA. On Thursday, he will forever be embedded into Laker history and stand as one of the greatest of the franchise. His much-anticipated statue will be unveiled outside the crypto.com arena. As the Lakers prepare for the monumental moment, Anthony Davis went down memory lane and spoke about Bryant.

When Davis came into the league, it was the last time Kobe Bryant looked ferocious. He averaged 27 points that season. Next year the Mamba would go down to an Achilles injury that affected his mobility for the remainder of his career,

That same year, the two finally got an opportunity to meet. They were a part of Team USA heading to the 2012 London Olympics. There the two bonded and created a relationship. Bryant saw the potential in AD.

Today, after securing a win against the Charlotte Hornets, Anthony Davis was asked about his mentor. The Lakers big man spoke on the lessons he derived from him and carrying his legacy in the Purple and Gold.

Anthony Davis speaks about Kobe Bryant

The Lakers locker was jolly today. They had won a third straight game and in a convincing manner against the Hornets. Davis was the frontal weapon, logging in a triple-double, his third in his career. After the game, Davis was swarmed by reporters in the locker. His appearance was informal. A printed shirt and his curls sprouting out of his cap.

There he was asked to detail his bond with Kobe Bryant. Davis remembered one particular incident in particular where he felt left out of sorts.

“There was this stretch where he was sending guys tweets, I mean texted sorry. ‘MVP this year or Defensive Player this year’. Like, he was doing that. I remember one year he didn’t text me and I was like ‘What the hell’. So I texted him ‘What about me?’ and then he gave me a list of things.” 

The Brow also spoke on taking charge and extending Bryant’s elusive legacy with the Lakers.

“But now it’s come full circle. You know, playing for the Lakers, an organization where he played 20 years and left his legacy here. Being able to put on a Laker uniform and kinda being a part of that in sense, there’s no better feeling,” 

Bryant would rarely gravitate towards anyone in particular. His standards of performance and work ethic were so beyond anyone that he didn’t feel attached. But in 2012, when he met Davis and saw his raw potential and willingness to reach that, Bryant took him under his wing.

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“His obvious potential. His ability. But he had a curious nature about him and how he wanted to learn more and more about that game. So I’d gravitate toward that,” the Black Mamba said in an interview with LA Times in 2019.

Today, Anthony Davis is at war wearing the very same colors Bryant did for two decades It’s a story that has come full circle as Davis mentioned. He honored his legacy in parts by winning a championship in his very first season. However, knowing the vigor Kobe Bryant had to keep winning, Davis couldn’t be satisfied with just one.

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He has been splendid this season, averaging 24.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Davis has established himself as a shot-blocking virtuoso. Nothing gets past this beast in the paint. On the offense, he has refined himself, having an adept mid-range game and in desperation times he demolishes the rim.

The championship hopes for this season largely rest on his shoulders. Do you think he can lead the Lakers to another chip this season?