The story behind the iconic photo of Kobe Bryant looking sad after the 2001 NBA championship

• The story behind an iconic Kobe Bryant photo.
• Why did he look so sad?
• A sculptor pays tribute to the athlete.

Former basketball player Kobe Bryant died on January 26, 2020 in a tragic helicopter accident. He was 41 years old.

Along with the former Los Angeles Lakers player, his daughter Gigi and seven other people, including the helicopter pilot, were also killed.

He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Such is the magnitude of his legacy.

Four years after his unexpected death, the truth behind a controversial photo taken of Kobe Bryant has come to light.

The story behind the iconic Kobe Bryant photo

The iconic Kobe Bryant photo was taken in 2001 and the stirring image still sparks questions.

It is a rare view of the Los Angeles Lakers locker room that was taken after they won the NBA championship final against New Jersey.

In it, the basketball star is sitting with the trophy in his lap.

What’s odd is that he appears to be pensive and sad. What was going on with him?

Kobe Bryant’s parents didn’t attend the game

Sports Illustrated photographer Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated revealed the truth behind the iconic Kobe Bryant photo.

He stated that months before the NBA finals, the star had a begun arguing with his parents.

The reason? They simply did not accept his relationship with Vanessa, who would become his wife and mother of his daughters.

Their marriage on April 18, 2001 was the last straw between Kobe and his parents. Kobe was sad because they had not attended his championship game.

Honoring the memory of Kobe Bryant and his daughter

In 2022, sculptor Dan Medina decided to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter at the place where they lost their lives.

It is a sculpture that was only displayed for one day in Calabasas, California. The other seven victims of this accident were also remembered.

«Heroes come and go, but legends are forever,» reads the inscription on the sculpture.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the artist revealed that this work is made of bronze and weighs approximately 150 pounds.

‘I can’t believe he’s not here anymore’

On the fourth anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death, several NBA figures recall his legacy.

One of them was Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who granted an interview to Andscape.

«It’s bittersweet. I can’t believe he’s not here anymore. And the thing that I regret is, I wish I would’ve called him more,» he said.

The athlete also said he wished he had sent more text messages to ‘Black Mamba.’

Jayson Tatum remembers Kobe Bryant

In another part of this interview, Jayson Tatum was asked more about Kobe Bryant.

He said the impact he had on so many people around the world is more than evident, even to this day.

«It really is a big reason why I am who I am and why I got so far,» Tatum said.

Finally, he said that he always tries to honor him when he can on the court. To see the iconic Kobe Bryant photo click HERE.