Mamba mentality: Dodgers gifted Kobe sneakers
LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers received some special footwear Saturday, courtesy of Kobe Bryant’s widow.
On the eighth anniversary of Bryant’s last NBA game, Vanessa Bryant gave members of the Dodgers exclusive sneakers in a team color scheme from the late basketball star’s signature Nike line.
The club posted a thank-you message to Vanessa Bryant with photos of the sneakers on X and shared video on Instagram of players opening their new Nike Kobe 6 LA Dodgers PE shoes.
Mamba Forever.
Thank you for the gift, Vanessa Bryant! Can’t wait to celebrate the anniversary of Kobe’s historic last game in style. #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/nvinwH0Tni
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 13, 2024
Betts said he was going to wear them every day, and manager Dave Roberts said: “These are ridiculous. I’m going to rock these with Mamba pride.”
The Dodgers went on to beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Saturday night.
Bryant scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz at home in the last game of his career on April 13, 2016, often referred to as Mamba Day in a nod to his Black Mamba nickname.
He died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
