Viral Kobe Bryant Tribute References Moments Against Utah Jazz
Feb 24, 2020, 12:27 PM
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Jeff Withey #24 of the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – In honor of the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, Kobe’s shoe partner Nike dropped an inspirational video paying tribute to the Laker great. The video that instantly gained viral status on social media platforms captured Kobe’s career and life with some subtle references to games against the Utah Jazz thrown in as well.
Mamba Forever.
(sound on) pic.twitter.com/B2LUIcpRCc
— Nike (@Nike) February 24, 2020
The video simply titled, “Mamba Forever” referenced key moments in Kobe’s life and career with the word forever attached to them.
One of the moments that helped shape Bryant’s legendary career in the NBA was during the NBA Playoffs of his rookie season against the Utah Jazz in 1997. During the closeout Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals in Salt Lake, Bryant put up four airballs in the fourth quarter. Nike referenced that moment with “Air Ball Air Ball Air Ball Air Ball Forever.”
The other reference from a Utah Jazz game was to Kobe’s last game in the NBA during the 2016 season. Nike put in the video “60 and out.” Bryant scored 60 points in his final NBA game then afterward spoke to the fans at the game and said, “Mamba out.”
Kobe Bryant passed away at the age of 41 years old on January 26th, 2020 near Calabasas, California, in a tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of a total of nine people.
