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By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
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When a mural of late 18-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna — who both perished in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash — was defaced last month in downtown Los Angeles, the greater L.A. community was stunned.
More Los Angeles Lakers News: Kobe and Gianna Bryant Mural in Los Angeles Vandalized in Random Act
That a touching tribute to one of the most beloved figures in local sports history could be adversely impacted, in the town where he burnished his legend no less, proved to be a frustrating L.A. story.
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Created by artist Loui "Sloe" Motion, the mural is located at 1361 Main Street. It was discovered, littered with graffiti, on April 29.
Kobe Bryant is depicted embracing his daughter, who in turn holds a basketball, accented by a "Mambas Forever" title, written in the Lakers' purple and gold team colors.
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Now, per KTLA 5 Morning News, that mural has been wholly restored, thanks to a $5K contribution from five-time All-NBA Lakers guard Luka Doncic.
More Los Angeles Lakers News: Lakers' Luka Doncic Pays Entire GoFundMe to Restore Kobe and Gianna Bryant Mural
Since the Bryants' passing, along with seven other souls in that helicopter, 600 murals have popped up commemorating Kobe's L.A. run all over the world, according to Emmanuel Morgan and Matt Stevens of The New York Times.
The image has now been fully restored and now returns to its former glory for all to see.
The Lakers traded for the rights to take Bryant, straight out of Lower Merion High School, with the No. 13 pick in the storied 1996 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 swingman spent all 20 of his pro seasons with Los Angeles, winning five championships — and two Finals MVPs — in seven NBA Finals berths between 2000 and 2010.
A first ballot Hall of Famer, Bryant was a 15-time All-NBA honoree, 12-time All-Defensive Teamer, and the 2008 MVP. For his career, he logged averages of 25.0 points on .447/.329/.837 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, across 1,346 regular season contests.
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For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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