There are times when a city becomes associated with the name and the work of one individual. The City of Los Angeles, California, has many such individuals. One of them is none other than the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Devoting all 20 years of his NBA career to the Lakers, the Black Mamba remains a symbol of hope and fondness, a beacon of inspiration and resilience. After his unfortunate death in a helicopter crash back in January 2020, the feelings of the people of LA towards Bryant intensified. Various honours were bestowed upon the late athlete and memorials were placed all around the city in his remembrance.

Recently, one of those memorials came under the threat of being demolished. This particular incident has made many people, including the author, question the importance of such memorials for the people of LA. The following article will explore just that.

People unite in blocking the destruction of a Kobe Bryant Mural

Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, lost his life in a helicopter crash on January 26th, 2020. The unfortunate news was met with a feeling of shock and remorse from people around the world. As they mourned the five-time NBA champion, they also wanted to make efforts to ensure that his legacy continued to be a topic of discussion amongst people for decades to come. With that thought in mind, more than 600 murals depicting the Los Angeles Lakers icon were painted in the aftermath of his death. These murals were not only limited to the US but were also present in countries like Croatia, Haiti, Uganda, etc.

Amongst all of them is a mural that was painted in Downton, Los Angeles, right next to the Crypto.com Arena. It depicted Bryant donning his iconic Lakers ‘24’ jersey. He was looking down at Gianna, who was wearing a white jersey with ‘Mamba 2’ highlighted on its front. Both father and daughter had angel wings on their back and looked as if they were spending their time high above the clouds, right at the doorway of heaven.

The mural is painted on one of the walls that belong to a gym named Hardcore Fitness. A few days ago, news broke that the landlord of the building had asked the gym owner, Cecilia Moran, to have the beautiful tribute be repainted over and completely removed. He wanted the wall to be vacant so that it could be used for advertising purposes.

In light of this news, various efforts started to pour in in order to protect this part of Bryant’s legacy. The painter of the mural, Sloe Motions, started an online petition that generated over 90,000+ signatures. ‘Kobe Murals’, an Instagram account that keeps track of the 600+ murals around the world, helped in spreading the word and seeking help to keep the tribute up. In the end, however, the ultimate source of support came from an unexpected source.

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Back on Monday, Ronnie Singh, the digital marketing director for 2K Games, announced that his company had reportedly negotiated with the landlord and made a donation of an undisclosed amount. Thanks to the interference from 2K Games, the mural will now stay up for another year. There was a need to spread the word about this incredible feat and further reminisce on the Black Mamba’s legacy. Plans were announced for a ‘rededication ceremony’. During the same, the mural would be repainted and allowed to be brought to the same condition as it was following Bryant’s death.

Why is the Mural important for the people of Los Angeles?

Kobe Bryant’s journey, from the courts of Lower Merion High School to the iconic Staples Center, was deeply intertwined with the City of Los Angeles. The people of the city recognize just how important LA was to the Black Mamba. In an allegedly turbulent NBA world where players seek a trade and keep changing teams in order to secure a better opportunity for themselves, Kobe was an exception. From his first NBA game to his last, he only played for one team, never letting go of the trust that had been placed upon him by the people of this city. By keeping the mural up, the people assured NBA fans and the rest of the world that they respected the dedication that Kobe had placed towards LA.

Just like the many memorials out there, Kobe’s mural is possibly a neutral place. A place where people of different races, religions, and backgrounds can come together and find common ground in sharing tribute to one individual. Just catching a glimpse of the tribute could help them recollect stories. Stories of the games they saw and cheered upon. Stories of how they got motivated by the indirect actions of the Black Mamba. For Harry Potter fans, the mural could help them remember that one individual who was a bigger fan of the franchise than they ever were.

Even when he was alive, Kobe was more than a player. He was an inspiration. A role model. The generation who grew up watching the NBA star dominating the basketball court knew just how hard he worked to unlock his full potential. Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan famously said that Kobe was the only other individual who worked as hard as him. Kobe set the standard for how an aspiring NBA player should act. By keeping his legacy alive through this mural, future generations can learn a lesson from the hard work that Kobe put in, helping him become one of the most widely recognized athletes in the world.

When discussing the reason for preserving the mural, there are no better people to comment on the same than the ones whose efforts helped to make it possible. “This mural means a lot, not only to the city of L.A. and Laker fans, but most importantly it honors Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi. This mural has saved us during COVID times,” said Hardcore Fitness owner Cecilia Moran.

“For us to be a part of saving this thing is just a celebration of basketball and something that means so much to us as a video game,” said 2K Games Marketing Director Ronnie Singh. The recent NBA 2K game launched by his company is already doing its part in preserving the legacy of Kobe, and his contribution to keeping the mural alive only adds to that effort.

The importance of saving Kobe Bryant’s mural in Downtown Los Angeles cannot be overstated. The way that people reunited in an effort to preserve it stands as evidence of the enduring impact that one individual can have on a particular community. Its visual appeal reminds the people that the NBA star and his daughter are now in a better place. The mural represents the spirit of a city that has been shaped by this NBA player. It serves as a reminder of the role that basketball can play in inspiring generations of aspirants. By preserving this mural, the people of Los Angeles once again paid tribute to Kobe Bryant. They showed him that they won’t allow his memory to be forgotten anytime soon.

Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EssentiallySports.

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