Kobe Bryant Day

NBA 2K24 Adds Kobe Bryant Mode, “MAMBA MOMENTS”

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There have been many tributes to the late Kobe Bryant across August 24. Steve Kerr shared his thoughts on both playing and coaching against Bryant. Meanwhile, the Lakers announced the installation of the Kobe statue at Crypto.com Arena next February. However, the tributes to Bryant, who passed away three-and-a-half years ago, extended to the realm of video games.

NBA 2K24 announced the debut of “Mamba Moments”, a special game mode in which players would take control of Bryant during pivotal games in his 20-year career with the Lakers. Completing each game will earn special rewards in the MyTEAM and MyCAREER modes. The collection of moments ranges from record-breaking games to clutch playoff performances. “Mamba Moments” will be available across all editions of the game when it releases on September 9.

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MAMBA MOMENTS Highlights Seven Of Kobe’s Greatest Games

Per 2K Games, Mamba Moments will give players the opportunity to take control of Kobe during seven moments during his iconic career. The one game that does not appear to have a date attached to it is the challenge that involves putting up a double-double against Michael Jordan. Given when it lies in the list of challenges, it’s like their final matchup in 2003. Kobe dropped 55 on MJ and the Wizards in that matchup. However, the rest of the games are all tied to specific real-world events. First is Game 4 of the 2001 Western Conference Semifinals. Then it’s Kobe’s three-point record game against the Sonics in January 2003. After that, it’s his 63 points in three quarters against the Mavs in December 2005.

Additionally, players will have to match Kobe’s 65-point game against the Blazers in March 2007. The final two challenges are both playoff games. First, it’s Kobe’s 17-point fourth quarter in Game 5 of the 2008 Western Conference Finals. Finally, players must guide Kobe through the grueling Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Celtics. Which Kobe moment are you looking forward to replicating? Let us know in the comments.

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Steve Kerr Makes Heartfelt Statement About Kobe For Kobe Bryant Day

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Team USA and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made a heartfelt statement about the late Kobe Bryant. “I have great memories of playing against him and then coaching against him late in his career. To have the good fortune to be in the NBA at the same time as one of the all-time greats, watch him, and compete against him was really special. We all think about Kobe to this day and everything he meant to the league and all of us,” Kerr said ahead of Team USA’s FIBA World Cup match against New Zealand.

Kerr is in a unique position, having both played and coached against Kobe. Kerr did not retire until 2003, meaning that he played against Bryant during the first seven years of Kobe’s career. The pair faced off in 24 games, spread across Kerr’s stints in Chicago, San Antonio, and Portland. They split those games evenly, each winning 12. This included eliminating each other on the way to a title. Kobe eliminated Kerr’s Spurs in the 2001 Western Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Kerr and the Spurs eliminated Kobe in the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals.

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Kobe Bryant’s Legacy Lives In

The complex legacy of Kobe Bryant lives in as the city of Los Angeles marks Kobe Bryant Day. Celebrated on August 24, chosen due to Kobe’s famous jersey number and its proximity to his birthday. Speaking of Kobe’s birthday, his wife Vanessa also shared a heartfelt message to her late husband on August 23. “Happy birthday, baby. I love you always & forever,” she wrote on Instagram.

As Team USA prepares for a pivotal World Cup, Bryant’s legacy on the international stage will loom large. Kobe won two Olympic golds (2008, 2012) and a FIBA Americas Championship (2007). However, Kobe never played in a FIBA World Cup. He was famously not included in the 2010 roster that won gold. In fact, none of the 2008 Olympic team was selected. Meanwhile, Kobe retired from international play in 2012. Team USA would go on to win a second gold in 2014. The team in 2023 looks to bounce back from a 7th-place finish in 2019.

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Nike Confirms Relaunch of Kobe Bryant Brand

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The estate of Kobe Bryant parted ways with Nike in April 2021. It was fairly shocking news, with Nike having worked with the NBA legend since 2003. However, the relationship had been strained since Kobe’s retirement in 2016. Sales had stagnated, and Nike’s marketing team had shifted focus to the signature brands of active NBA players.

Things had gotten bad enough that in December 2020, venture capitalist Shervin Pishevar revealed that he had been in talks with Bryant to launch a player-owned brand called Mamba. Reportedly, things had progressed to the point where Pishevar had seen mockups for a potential debut shoe in the Mamba line. After the contract expired, Nike has released a handful of lines. Namely, these were the Gigi Bryant-inspired retros of the Kobe 4 and Kobe 6. A release of a new Kobe 8 all-white variant was expected later in 2023. However, it appears that it is the start of something much bigger for the relationship.

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Nike CEO Confirms Return Of Kobe Brand

Speaking on a Q4 earning call, Nike CEO John Donahue confirmed that the Kobe 8 release was just the start. In fact, Nike was looking at the launch of a new era of Kobe shoes. “It’s going to be an exciting summer as we set the stage to relaunch the Kobe brand in advance of Kobe Day on 8.24,” Donahue said. While further details about what the “relaunch” entails in the long run, it is likely that Nike will be investing more in the Kobe brand going forward.

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Releases of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Reverse Grinch’ and Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Black/Metallic Gold” are both expected to be released during the 2023 holiday season. However, the news could suggest that there will be on the way in 2023 and beyond. This comes after news in 2022 that suggested that Vanessa Bryant reached some sort of deal with Nike. However, this is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop. What’s your favorite Kobe shoe? Let us know in the comments. Furthermore, be sure to follow all the latest sneaker news here on the site.

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