Kobe Bryant Will Be Immortalized in Video Game History
It has been several months since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, who lost his life along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a devastating helicopter accident in January. Since the incident, it’s been nothing but an outpouring of respect and admiration toward the former Los Angeles Lakers great. Bryant has garnered another incredible gesture, as NBA 2K21 has just announced a special honor that they have bestowed upon him.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy
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Kobe Bryant is one of the league’s greatest players that put forth an illustrious 20-year career that has earned him a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction.
Bryant has numerous personal accolades, such as being an 18-time All-Star, a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, an 11-time All-NBA First Team selection, nine-time All-Defensive First-Team member, and three-time All-Defensive Second Team selection, among others. He also holds many Lakers’ record while placing himself third on the all-time regular-season scoring list and fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list.
He was much more than as he garnered a great deal of respect and admiration from his peers over the years. Bryant has had an incredible influence on the generations of players that followed him, such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Kawhi Leonard. His impact on the game will always be felt, which has led to NBA 2K giving him another great honor involving this year’s version of their game.
NBA 2K21 shows Kobe Bryant the ultimate respect
In the last couple of days, NBA 2K has continued to unveil their covers for the NBA 2K21 edition of the game. That saw Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard and New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson receive the honor of gracing the cover.
That left the legendary edition of the game to be revealed on Thursday that expectedly gave Kobe Bryant the honor of gracing this year’s cover. There are two versions of the legendary copy with one for each number he wore. It was a no-brainer chose as Bryant is one of the most impactful players that the league has had, and his passing earlier this year only further underlined his influence on the game and the respect he has on peers past and present.
It marks the third cover that he has been on for the game as he was on NBA 2K10 after winning his fourth NBA title and graced the 2K17 cover on the legendary edition after he retired. There will likely be more ways Bryant will be honored beyond a trailer that will include him with possible challenges or special tributes featured in the game. It’s a fitting move for NBA 2K to show him well-deserved respect.
NBA 2K made the right choice with Kobe Bryant
It’s been a difficult last few months to come to terms with Kobe Bryant’s passing that has still rocked the NBA community or other various sports.
Bryant had a tremendous impact on the world of sports beyond his play as his mental approach to the game was something that many respected and adopted to their lives to push forward. It has been a chance to further reflect on what he meant to the game of basketball and his impact that has reached far beyond what many likely envisioned before his death.
Ultimately. NBA 2K went the appropriate route with the situation as there was no better choice for this year’s cover for the legendary edition of the game.
