“Better GOAT. Better GOAT.”
You love to see it in the lobby.
Go off.
Tonight the Lakers bring back their Lore Series like the Nike Shaq-sized City Edition jerseys against Portland in Game 4 of the first round, as they throw it back to the Mamba snakeskin black designs Kobe Bryant created two seasons back. This time with a white heart on the lapel 2 for the Mambacita GiGi.
But last night for 24, the WNBA GOAT Diana Taurasi, who’s been around the game since Kob’ had a ‘fro, rocked the number 8 and Bryant’s name on the back of her Phoenix jersey for his 42nd birthday on the eve of the 24th day of the eighth month of the year.
With that Mamba Mentality, screaming like with the trophy in that new poetic, “better forever” Kendrick Lamar Nike spot, this Mercury rose with a scorching 34 points. Including seven from downtown in the Bubble as she popped.
“When you put his jersey on, you just want to make sure you honour it the right way,” the White Mamba told press post-game after a performance that deserves a Hall of Fame exhibit.
Good enough for the Phoenix Mercury to mystify the reigning champion Washington Mystics by one point for an 88-87 win.
Hesitant at first to wear his jersey, it all felt meant, like the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting it out the park for a home run on the same day following their beautiful video tribute. Shooting for 53.8 from downtown, all whilst thinking, “What would Kobe do?”
“I know Kobe would have fought his ass off every minute,” Queen Diana remarked as she donned the 8 like Allen Iverson did Dr. Julius Erving’s number 6 in the 2001 All-Star Game in Bean’s native Philadelphia.
From fellow GOAT Sue Bird, also still on the tip-top of her great game, to Dame Lillard doing his best 2001, Game 1, Iverson (check out Chuck’s “Dear Kobe,: Players Tribune tribute, but be warned. Your tear ducts are about to become faucets) impression against the Lakers, everyone has been wearing white tees with a purple number 3 Goat above the heart. Still with soul on the hardwood last night was about the late, great, eighth wonder of the world that we still can’t believe is gone in the most tragic of years.
Get a GOAT that can do both.
“This is for him and his family,” she said in closing.
Closing out this game, we can’t think of a better tribute from GOAT to GOAT.
