Celebrating Kobe Bryant Day

Yesterday would’ve been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday and today is officially “Kobe Bryant Day.” Bryant wore the numbers 8 and 24, so it’s only logical to recognize the legend that we lost too soon today. 

Be fearless,

The Last NIght’s Game Team

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MLB (Major League Baseball)

Kobe Bryant was a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He once announced the Dodgers' starting lineup for game four of the 2018 World Series. The team sported Bryant’s jersey yesterday before the game and both his number and his daughter Gianna’s jersey numbers were prominently featured on the pitcher’s mound. Gianna Bryant died alongside her father and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. LEGENDS LOST

Overtime

He was a man who wasn’t perfect, but never claimed to be. He was one of the best in the history of the game and inspired generations of basketball players, athletes and go-getters around the world. It showed with the plethora of touching (and sometimes tear evoking) tributes from his friends and family yesterday. Nike released a Bryant tribute video yesterday, narrated by rapper Kendrick Lamar, that’ll give you goosebumps. WATCH IT HERE 

Sideline stat

Nike has declared this week “Mamba Week.” (Bryant’s nickname was Black Mamba). As part of the tribute, they will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which "exists to further Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s legacy through charitable endeavors in sports," and includes introducing more girls to basketball and elevating female coaches. Nike is also releasing five pairs of the Lakers’ legend’s signature shoes. FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST

Coaches’ corner

Bryant was a man of many talents. He was raised in Italy and spoke three different languages. He would occasionally pick up another, like Slovak, to talk trash. Once, he wanted to learn how to play the piano for his wife but instead of hiring a piano teacher, which was the easy way out, he taught himself. He put on headphones and listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on repeat until he perfected it. WHAT COULDN’T HE DO?

Mamba Legend Lives On

Yesterday we lost a sports legend, Kobe Bryant. Today, we’re sharing with you why Bryant is being mourned by so many - he was so much more than basketball. He was a man who wasn’t perfect, but never claimed to be. He was one of the best in the history of the game and inspired generations of basketball players, athletes and go-getters around the world.

Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife Vanessa, daughters Natalia, Bianca and Capri and the families of all the victims.  We hope you take the next three minutes to read a little bit more about Kobe “Black Mamba” Bryant who was just starting his second act.

Still in shock,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna “Gigi” were amongst nine victims who died yesterday in a helicopter crash. The basketball loving father-daughter duo were en route to Gigi’s basketball game. His career accomplishments are awe-inspiring - five-time champion, MVP, all-star, gold medalist and the list goes on. He remains the only person in the NBA to have two jersey numbers retired (8 and 24). GONE TOO SOON

Overtime

Bryant was a man of many talents. He was raised in Italy and spoke three different languages. He would occasionally pick up another, like Slovak, to talk trash. Once, he wanted to learn how to play the piano for his wife but instead of hiring a piano teacher, which was the easy way out, he taught himself. He put on headphones and listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on repeat until he perfected it. WHAT COULDN’T HE DO?

Sideline stat

On Saturday night LeBron James passed Bryant to overtake third place on the NBA’s career scoring list. Before the game, James wrote "Mamba 4 Life" and "8/24 KB" (a tribute to Bryant’s jersey numbers) in gold marker on his shoes to honor the legend he was about to surpass. In his final tweet, Bryant took to Twitter to congratulate James on his accomplishment saying “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644.” RESPECT

Coaches’ corner

Bryant was known for his love of the game but it extended beyond the NBA. He was a vivacious supporter of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) and a friend and mentor to women’s basketball players from his daughter’s team, to the college level and of course, the WNBA. PROUD PAPA

What to watch

As part of his second act, after leaving basketball Bryant turned his passion toward entertainment, founding Granity Studios, where he won an Oscar for “Dear Basketball.” TELL THE STORY

We’ll bring you Super Bowl coverage on Wednesday. Until then, channel the "Mamba mentality" and be fearless like Kobe. 

The Oscar Goes To...5 Academy Award-Winning Sports Movies

The Oscars are no different than sports, there’s still a uniform (albeit a tux and a ballgown) and you still have to be a good sport even when you lose.

Game faces on, if the botox allows,

The Last NIght’s Game Team

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1. Million Dollar Baby (2004) This movie about a middle-class female boxer who forges a life-changing bond with her trainer is tied for the most celebrated movie on our list. The movie took home Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (Hilary Swank), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman). The other flick with four wins? Chariots of Fire. GIRL ON FIRE

2. Rocky (1976) We all remember the iconic line of “Yo Adrian” and Sylvester Stallone’s run up the steps, but while the actors and their lines are what we remember, the movie took home the award for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing. A big fat TKO for Rocky and Adrian. WE’LL STILL NEVER EAT A RAW EGG FOR BREAKFAST

3. Jerry Maguire (1996) Tom Cruise may have yelled “show me the money” in a story about a sports agent down on his luck but Cuba Gooding Jr. showed them how it was done as he received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. OSCAR, YOU COMPLETE ME

4. Chariots of Fire (1981) In a class-focused, divided society, two runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. The movie is probably best known for its Oscar winning original music score. THE MUSIC THAT STILL INSPIRES US ALL

5. The Blind Side (2009) Sandra Bullock took home her first Oscar for her role as a pushy mom who takes in a homeless teen and helps to harness his talents to turn him into a football powerhouse. Based on a true story, the real Michael Oher became a college football sensation and an NFL (National Football League) player. DREAMS DO COME TRUE

BONUS - Since it wasn’t a full-length feature film, the honorable mention goes to Kobe Bryant’s Dear Basketball. The animated short took home an Oscar last year and Bryant proclaimed that his win “felt better than winning a championship.” THE TROPHY ISN’T AS COOL

DON’T SKIP TODAY'S WEDNESDAY WISDOM         

The Oscars may be on Sunday, but there’s plenty happening in the sports world today including a new, very odd nickname for a football player, a viral inspirational locker room speech and why someone almost needed a trip to the plastic surgeon’s office. READ