When it comes to Kobe Bryant, all roads lead back to L.A.—the city that loves its superstars. That’s where he built his legacy, left his heart, and became an icon. Just earlier this year, on the fifth anniversary of his passing, Venice Beach paid tribute with a striking mural—Kobe in his glory, alongside the fierce black mamba that defined his mentality. It wasn’t just paint on a wall; it was a reminder that L.A. still breathes Kobe. While most people tie Kobe to the bright lights of L.A., a lesser-known story from 21 years ago just resurfaced.

Naturally, it’s no surprise that the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic Games are set to carry his spirit, too. In fact, one of the Games’ official emblems draws direct inspiration from Kobe’s signature logo and his mamba mindset. “We designed this emblem in his honor,” said Vanessa Bryant. “We hope this inspires the Mamba mentality in every aspiring Olympian and Paralympian, We’re so proud to see this emblem represent the Los Angeles Games. I know Kobe would be so proud to host the Games in this great city.”

But here’s where things take a turn. Thanks to a Pennsylvania native named Chris Young, we get a glimpse of how Kobe’s legacy wasn’t any less perceived in his hometown. While dropping a heartfelt post on Instagram, he restored a moment that had been buried in memory for years. “Yesterday, I was on the phone with my guy DH (Damon Haley)… We were having a Kobe moment—just sharing stories and old photos,” he wrote.

As it turns out, those old photos sparked something. “He just happened to send over some photos from a moment I was actually at back in ’04,” Chris shared. That moment? Kobe casually pulling up to a high school game in Westchester—with Rob Pelinka, Nico Harrison, Lamar Odom, and Caron Butler in tow.

Then came the part that stuck. “When Kobe walked in that night, I just remember this loud-as* roar. I’ll never forget that sound,” Chris wrote. What seemed like just another night at a local game became something unforgettable. “Back then, it was a big moment. Now, I realize it was historic.”

LA’s walls still whisper Kobe Bryant’s name every day

Naturally, if there’s one place where Kobe Bryant’s presence still feels alive, it’s the streets of Los Angeles. Just steps from a downtown gym, a mural of Kobe and his daughter Gianna floats in the clouds—both draped in angel wings, frozen in time. Right next to a wing, a message reads, “Do not touch this mural.” And the wild part? No one has. With over 600 murals of Kobe worldwide—most right here in Southern California—these walls have turned into sacred ground.

Interestingly, this silent respect stretches far beyond just that one painting. While waiting for an Uber, Keeley Black from Hollywood casually listed off other murals she’s spotted—one near Sunset Boulevard, another around Fairfax.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of them be messed with either,” she pointed out. “I think people really respect these murals.” Clearly, it’s not just art—it’s a tribute that people protect.

Before wildfires swept the Palisades, or the pandemic hit pause on Hollywood, it was Kobe’s sudden loss that brought the city to its knees. The artists behind these murals say it all comes down to how Kobe moved people—his grit, his fearless drives, his fadeaways, and above all, that unshakable “Mamba Mentality.”

After all, as muralist Louie Palsino put it best, “It’s just human instinct… What we love and what we represent, we want to put it out there on our walls.” And clearly, L.A. still wears its love for Kobe like a badge.