Lakers will wear the Black Mamba jerseys for potential series-deciding Game 5

The Black Mamba jerseys have been like a Sixth Man for the Los Angeles Lakers in the postseason. In the four games they’ve worn them, they haven’t lost, and that’s not a coincidence either.

Knowing how successful they’ve been when they’ve worn the Black Mamba jerseys, the Lakers have decided to wear the Black Mamba jerseys for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday, according to LockerVision.

The jerseys have been reserved for Game 2s since the start of the postseason — likely as a tribute to Gianna Bryant, who wore No. 2 with the Mamba Academy — but Game 5 could be the game the Lakers are crowned champions of the NBA. If the Lakers lose Game 5, they’ll only wear them again if the series goes to a Game 7, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The Lakers have nailed every Kobe Bryant tribute they’ve done this season, but with all due respect, there’s no tribute that could possibly top them winning a championship 10 years after Bryant won his last championship with the Lakers, in a jersey designed by and for him. It’s almost too perfect.

That being said, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with putting on that jersey knowing who and what it represents. The same can be said about all of the Lakers’ jerseys because of how rich the team’s history is, but the tragedy of this year makes the Black Mamba jerseys symbolize something much bigger than basketball.

Ultimately, all that matter is that the Lakers bring the Larry O’Brien back home to Los Angeles, but there’s no denying that hoisting the championship trophy in the Black Mamba jerseys would be special for both the players and fans watching at home. Let’s hope they can get it done.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals will tip-off at 6 p.m. on ABC.

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