Today is the day, Lakers fans. The Kobe Bryant statue will be unveiled at 3 p.m. PT, ahead of the team's game against the Denver Nuggets.
It's been a long time coming for the legendary guard, and now he will forever be immortalized outside Crypto.com Arena. Bryant will join a few other legends in receiving their statue outside the arena.
Former Lakers forward Lamar Odom took to social media to speak out ahead of the reveal. Odom and Bryant were close during their time together and won two titles with the Lakers.
Odom first joined Los Angeles after coming over in the trade that sent former LA MVP center Shaquille O'Neal to the Miami Heat. He quickly became their second-best player for a portion of time and a fan favorite as well.
The two set the tone for the Lakers' run to the NBA Finals in 2008 and then the two titles in the two consecutive years after. Odom is forever a special player in Lakers history, and he understands what Bryant meant to this organization.
Like Odom, there will be plenty of former teammates, family and friends at the unveiling later tonight. It will be closed off to friends and family first, and fans will get to come see the statue at Star Plaza beginning on February 9.
This will certainly be an emotional experience for all involved, and one that nobody will ever forget.
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