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Kobe Bryant: A Tribute to a Basketball Legend
A profound remembrance of a life of greatness cut short
In 20 seasons in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, Kobe Bryant ascended from teenaged rookie to 18-time all-star and five-time NBA champion. The superstar known as The Black Mamba left his mark on basketball and popular culture as a fierce competitor who inspired those around him and never settled for less than the best.
These moments and memories are collected in Kobe Bryant: A Tribute to the Basketball Legend, a fully illustrated commemorative book celebrating Bryant’s life and career. Featuring more than 100 photographs and written coverage from the pages of Sports Illustrated, this new volume provides readers a complete portrait of the international basketball superstar who transcended his sport to become a cultural icon.
Relive every moment including the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1997, consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010, the unforgettable 60-point farewell game, and the poignant tributes that followed Bryant's shocking death alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a 2020 helicopter crash.
This commemorative book features Sports Illustrated’s best written coverage of Kobe Bryant, including pieces by Phil Taylor, Jack McCallum, Lee Jenkins, and more.
In 20 seasons in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform, Kobe Bryant ascended from teenaged rookie to 18-time all-star and five-time NBA champion. The superstar known as The Black Mamba left his mark on basketball and popular culture as a fierce competitor who inspired those around him and never settled for less than the best.
These moments and memories are collected in Kobe Bryant: A Tribute to the Basketball Legend, a fully illustrated commemorative book celebrating Bryant’s life and career. Featuring more than 100 photographs and written coverage from the pages of Sports Illustrated, this new volume provides readers a complete portrait of the international basketball superstar who transcended his sport to become a cultural icon.
Relive every moment including the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1997, consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010, the unforgettable 60-point farewell game, and the poignant tributes that followed Bryant's shocking death alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a 2020 helicopter crash.
This commemorative book features Sports Illustrated’s best written coverage of Kobe Bryant, including pieces by Phil Taylor, Jack McCallum, Lee Jenkins, and more.
232 pages, Hardcover
Published August 17, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 14, 2022
Kobe Bryant: A Tribute to a Basketball Legend is a compilation of Sports Illustrated content about one of basketball’s GOATs — The book includes select articles, all SI magazine covers featuring Kobe, and iconic photos of Bryant, playing, preparing, celebrating, embracing the Mamba Mentality, and more.
Come for the motivation, stay for the photography.
Come for the motivation, stay for the photography.
January 15, 2022
Too short to say the least but a well lived life is what this man had. Without a doubt a true inspiration for this generation and for the ones that will follow. The best all around player in the NBA who proved time after time that there are no limits. This tribute definitely commemorates the life of a true legend. May his legacy live on forever and may we always remember to live our lives with the mamba mentality. Black mamba forever.
July 6, 2024
Didn’t know much about Kobe.. interesting book with fantastic photos. Grew up in Italy and had a discipline that is rare.
October 20, 2021
This book is beautiful!! Amazing illustrations that highlight his short life.
December 28, 2022
A nice visual history and summary of an incredible basketball player.
November 25, 2024
I never believed you were a rapist my brother!
April 15, 2025
⭐️ 3.8! (didn’t wow me, but great nonetheless)
Wonderful illustrations that highlight his short but well-lived life.
While I grew up around basketball and knew a lot about the game itself, I was surprised to learn that Kobe Bryant moved to Rieti, Italy, at the age of six when his father signed a contract with Olimpia Basket Pistoia. He spent several years there before returning to Pennsylvania at 13. During his time in Italy, Kobe became fluent in Italian—a skill that stayed with him throughout his life.
Wonderful illustrations that highlight his short but well-lived life.
While I grew up around basketball and knew a lot about the game itself, I was surprised to learn that Kobe Bryant moved to Rieti, Italy, at the age of six when his father signed a contract with Olimpia Basket Pistoia. He spent several years there before returning to Pennsylvania at 13. During his time in Italy, Kobe became fluent in Italian—a skill that stayed with him throughout his life.
May 27, 2023
5.0/5.0
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews