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One day after what would have been his 43rd birthday, the sports world remembers Kobe Bryant and all of his accomplishments. In 2020, Orange County supervisors voted to declare August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day, honoring his two jersey numbers 8 and 24.

Kobe Bryant became the first NBA player in history to have two jersey numbers retired by the same team in 2017.

During his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant won five championships, two Finals MVP awards, a league MVP award in 2008, 18 All-Star Game appearances, 15 All-NBA selections and two Olympic gold medals.

The sports and entertainment world honored Kobe’s legacy with posts spanning the two-day period between his birthday and Mamba Day the following day.

Kobe Bryant mamba day
FILE – In this June 7, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) 
FILE – In this June 7, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) 

Mamba Mentality

His self-given nickname of the Black Mamba has led to the creation of the term Mamba Mentality, a term that has transcended sports and lives on to this day. In his own words, the Mamba Mentality means: “To be able to constantly try to be the best version of yourself. That is what the mentality is. It’s a constant quest to try to be better today than you were yesterday.”

He went on to further explain the Mamba Mentality in his Amazon book review in 2018.

“Mamba mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most,” he said. “It’s the ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit.  It started just as a hashtag that came to me one day, and it’s grown into something athletes, and even non-athletes, embrace as a mindset.”

“Hard work outweighs talent — every time,” he added. “Mamba mentality is about 4 a.m. workouts, doing more than the next guy and then trusting in the work you’ve put in when it’s time to perform. Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.”

Mike Creef is a fighter for equality and justice for all. Growing up bi-racial (Jamaican-American) on the east coast allowed him to experience many different cultures and beliefs that helped give him a...