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For the five championships the Lakers won during the 20 years Kobe Bryant was a part of their roster, the team would have its celebratory parade head to Staples Center by traveling down Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles. Now, the part of the street that Bryant practically made a second home after capping each successful season will bear the late superstar’s name.
Los Angeles City Council president Herb J. Wesson announced the change in a post on his Twitter account on Monday, Aug. 24 (8/24, or Kobe Bryant Day).
Figueroa St. will soon be Kobe Bryant Blvd. between Olympic & MLK.
— Herb J. Wesson, Jr. (@HerbJWesson) August 24, 2020
Kobe’s legacy is bigger than basketball. #KobeBryantBlvd will be a reminder to everyone, young and old who drive down it, there is no obstacle too big and that with the #Mambamentality , anything is possible. pic.twitter.com/gvekIFOU5u
This also makes Staples Center the intersection of Lakers history, in more ways than one:
For reference, this means Kobe Bryant Blvd will be from the University of Southern California to LA Live.
— WCSC (@WCSC24) August 24, 2020
As @beebosaur pointed out, Staples Center now resides on the corner of Chick Hearn Ct. and Kobe Bryant Blvd. https://t.co/0k4V2SCJzp
It seems fair to guess that this is an honor Bryant would have really appreciated, considering the part this street has played in so many of the memorable images of Lakers history during his time with the team. It was a place where fans could congregate to celebrate the successes of their favorite team, to cheer and catch a glimpse of their favorite players, and bask in the joy of raising another banner. There is no one this street could be better named for, and this is just another fitting accolade to add to Bryant’s lengthy legacy.
He may be gone far, far too soon, but it could not be more clear at this point that the city of Los Angeles will never forget him.
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