Remembering the Legacy of Kobe Bryant
The death of Kobe Bryant not only left a shock wave within the basketball community, but across the world as a whole. His accomplishments throughout a variety of sectors, including winning 5 NBA Championships, 2 Olympic gold medals, an Oscar for his film “Dear Basketball,” multiple best-selling books, and his own media company, allowed him to embody the message that basketball players can be far more than just athletes.
Kobe portrayed the idea of what it meant to be a good father through his relationship with his 4 daughters. In a heart-felt story regarding his dynamic with his daughters, ESPN’s Elle Duncan explained the kind of father Kobe was to his children. He told her, “I would have 5 more girls if I could. I’m a girl dad.” This quote is a testament to who Kobe was as a dad—he put his children first, and worked tirelessly to instill in them the values of hard work, dedication, and leadership. Above all, he showed them what it meant to be loved.
Throughout the U.S., artists have shown their appreciation for Kobe Bryant’s legacy by making beautiful and vibrant murals of him and his daughter, Gianna. Brooklyn artist Mark Paul Deren will finish a portrait of Kobe and Gianna in Chinatown, while artist Jules Muck painted a spectacular mural of the two in Pickford Market in Los Angeles. I wanted to show my appreciation for Kobe and Gianna through my own mural, remembering the legacy he left on the world and the impact he made on many people’s lives.
