Lakers to don Black Mamba jersey in Kobe Bryant's honour if they make Round 2 of playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers have me it to playoffs, with top conference seeding, for first time in six seasons. However, team will start ir playoffs run after overcoming countless hurdles during y faced during year. Determined to win 17th franchise title to hour late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, team is reportedly planning to wear a Black Mamba jersey if y vance to 2nd round of playoffs. 

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Lakers to wear Black Mamba jersey to hour late NBA legend Kobe Bryant at NBA bubble

According to Br Turner of Los Angeles Times, Lakers will wear a special Black Mamba jersey to hour Kobe Bryant if y beat Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers to vance in playoffs. Months before COVID-19 pandemic halted sports world, Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven ors including pilot lost ir lives in a tragic helicopter crash on January 26. Post ir deaths, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and team have openly spoken about wanting to win title to hour Bryant's legacy. Wearing Black Mamba jerseys is ar way for team to hour ir legend. 

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jersey chosen is from Lakers' Lore Series look from 2018. Kobe Bryant also contributed to design, which features snakeskin patterns along with yellow highlights and 16 stars that will represent franchise's 16 previous NBA titles. Nike also recently revealed that y will be re-releasing Bryant's jerseys with both his numbers (.8, . 24) on it. 

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Kobe Bryant led Lakers to five NBA champions, which included one three-peat (2000-2002) and one two-peat (2009, 2010). 18-time All-Star was a . 13 Round 1 pick during 1996 NBA Draft by Charlotte Hornets, after which he was promptly tred to Lakers for Vle Divac. Bryant wore  . 8 jersey at start of his career but switched to .24 during 2006-07 season.

Following his death, Lakers houred him by retiring both his jerseys. NBA players have houred legend in various ways, ranging from social media posts to tattoos. James, along with Davis, got tattoos to hour Bryant after his death. On multiple occasions, James has spoken about carrying on Bryant's legacy. Lakers will face Trail Blazers on Tuesday, 9:00 PM EST (Wednesday, 6:30 AM IST). 

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(Im source: AP)