Time flies past at such great speed, and we’re already nearing the first death anniversary of Kobe Bryant. The news about Kobe’s passing came to light on January 26, 2020, a day after the Mamba had made an appreciatory post for LeBron James.
One year since Kobe Bryant made his last post on Instagram
January 25, 2020, was the last day Kobe Bryant ever made a social media post by himself. Since his demise, we’ve seen posts coming out from his Instagram handle, but someone else is uploading them.
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It is quite heartwarming to see that Kobe’s final post on Instagram was him congratulating LeBron James for passing him on the NBA’s all-time points list. The incident took place in Philadelphia on January 25, as LeBron needed just 18 points to pass the Lakers legend on the list.
Kobe Bryant (33,643), stood third on the all-time points list and was overtaken by LeBron James who put on a 29-point performance against the Sixers to climb up to the third spot.
LeBron James gets to the bucket to move up to 3rd on the all-time scoring list! pic.twitter.com/almofNRKrg
Naturally, the Mamba was extremely proud of James’ achievement and took to Instagram to celebrate it. “On to #2 @kingjames! Keep growing the game and charting the path for the next,” Kobe wrote.
The internet was rejoicing about Kobe’s post for LeBron, and the latter would’ve felt truly honored to have received praise from one of his idols. But tragedy struck the very next day, and things were never the same after.
How LeBron felt when facing Kobe for the first time
LeBron James is a master of the craft now, but he was a student during his rookie year in the league. LeBron idolized Michael Jordan in his childhood, but Kobe Bryant played a vital part in inspiring him as well.
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When James and Kobe faced off for the first time, the former was just left star-struck. It was a lifelong dream that was just accomplished, and the four-time champion recently expressed how he felt at that moment.
“I was just in awe. It’s a guy who along with a lot of other guys that was on my wall. … He had a nice collage on my wall,”said LeBron.
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It is just incredible to see how LeBron is carrying forward the legacy of Kobe with the Lakers. The Mamba handed over the torch to the right person and he’s already doing justice to his role.
One year since Kobe Bryant made his last post on Instagram
It is quite heartwarming to see that Kobe's final post on Instagram was him congratulating LeBron James for passing him on the NBA's all-time points list.
That being said, King James respectfully stated that the unveiling would be a special moment for everyone. “So, I think it's a beautiful moment for not only him, [but] for his family.” From what James revealed and his history with Kobe, it seems like the moment would be just as special for him.
The friendship between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and late legend Kobe Bryant has been well-documented in the years since the former joined L.A. and the years since the latter's tragic death in 2020.
Be it on the court or training in the gym, Kobe was always keen on being the hardest worker out there. Sometimes, in his pursuit to become the greatest, the Mamba used to be a bit too harsh on his teammates. More often than not, it resulted in him not having many friends.
James said in his post he was “devastated and heartbroken.” Bryant retired in 2016, before James joined his Los Angeles Lakers. “I promise you I'll continue your legacy man,” he wrote. “Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me!
33 was the number my father wore in high school, so I just switched it to carry on the lineage.” When Bryant jumped from Lower Merion High School to the professional ranks joining the Lakers, Bryant did not even have the opportunity to select number 33.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with new 'Black Mamba' tattoos on their thighs. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have paid their respects to Kobe Bryant by getting "Black Mamba" tattoos.
Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant had a love story for the ages. The late NBA legend met his future wife when she was just 17 years old. At the time, Kobe was a starting player on the Los Angeles Lakers — while Vanessa was a high school senior from southern California.
The part of the Kobe and Shaq beef that always stuck out is just how diametrically opposed the two were in their craft despite both being among the greatest to ever play the game. Kobe was borderline maniacal — and oftentimes just simply maniacal — in his approach to the game.
"If you just watched them interact in a game, Kobe always was like a magnet going toward Michael," said former Los Angeles Lakers general manager Jerry West. "Usually Michael didn't really interact with a lot of players when he was on the court. He'd just play. But for some reason, he had this affinity for him."
Kobe Bryant Gave Back to Underserved Communities Just as Much as He Gave His All on the Court. The Bryant family founded The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF) in 2007 to help improve the lives of those in need and encourage young people to stay active with sports.
The reason for Kobe Bryant's sadness was apparently his parents. While Vanessa provided the support he needed, his parents were not happy with his choices. According to reports, their falling out happened in 2000, when a 21-year-old Bryant got engaged to an 18-year-old Vanessa Laine.
But as he wrote in the foreword of Caron Butler's first book, "Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA," Kobe made only four friends in his two decades in the NBA: Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Ronnie Turiaf, and Caron Butler.
Recently, Instagram decided it was time to memorialize Bryant's account, one that had racked up nearly 21 million followers. Memorializing an account is something Instagram does when someone deemed of public interest passes away, and it changes the account in several ways.
As fate would have it, the act of kindness would serve as Kobe Bryant's last words. You can see Pelinka's emotional speech below. As it turns out, Bryant's text to Pelinka was a favor for John Altobelli, who was on the helicopter with the NBA legend.
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