Anthony Davis shares why Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys mean more

The Los Angeles Lakers are planning to wear their Kobe Bryant Black Mamba jerseys during the NBA Finals, and Anthony Davis says those jerseys carry special meaning.

The Black Mamba jersey was co-designed by the late Bryant, who was among nine people who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26th, 2020. The jersey features a snakeskin print on the outside and has 16 stars on the side panels, representing the Lakers’ 16 NBA championships.

The Lakers plan to wear the jerseys for Game 2 and a Game 7 if necessary.

“When we put those jerseys on, we for sure play with an extra energy and effort,” Davis said of the Black Mamba jerseys. “Because we can’t lose in those jerseys. It’s like a pride thing — we cannot lose in those jerseys. And not from a cockiness standpoint, but more so like, if we lose in those jerseys, it feels like we’re letting him down. We just want to make him proud.”