The Los Angeles Lakers are set to wear their Black Mamba alternate jersey in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals as they look to finish off Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
With the Black Mamba kits in mind to honor the legacy of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers legend who perished in Jan. 2020, the five-time NBA champion’s widow, Vanessa, made sure to give L.A. some added motivation for Game 5 on Thursday.
Vanessa Bryant “approved” of the Black Mamba jersey in an Instagram Story post on Wednesday evening, adding “Let’s go Lakers.”
The Mamba Jerseys are Vanessa Bryant approved 🙌🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/zROnp5szQX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 8, 2020
Vanessa saw husband Kobe and daughter Gianna pass away in a tragic helicopter crash nearly nine months ago, taking away two beloved members of her family and the Los Angeles extended family as well in one fell swoop.
The Lakers can win their first title in 10 years with the 2020 playoffs concluding between L.A. and the Heat. Of course, Kobe Bryant won Finals MVP honors that year in his accomplished career with the Lakers, spending 20 years with the historic franchise.
Former rival turned friend LeBron James has a chance to bring home a title for the Lakers while wearing the Mamba-inspired jersey. It would be extremely touching for James to bring the Lakers their NBA record-tying 17th championship given the past history between LeBron and Kobe—two contemporaries who never had the chance to cross paths at the league’s biggest stage, the Finals.
The Lakers have seen big contributions for James’ co-star Anthony Davis, another athlete walking, like many, in the steps trail blazed by Bryant. Kobe was an icon and legend for many current players, including Lakers players seeking to capture the title during an unprecedented postseason held in the bubble in Orlando, Florida.
