Los Angeles Lakers Show Awesome Championship Rings Honoring Late NBA Legend Kobe Bryant
The LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship back in October. It was their 17th NBA title in franchise history, and everyone concerned with the Lakers is still reeling from that blowout victory over the Miami Heat.
After waiting ten years, Jason Arasheben, aka Jason of Beverly Hills, finally got the chance to design another Los Angeles Lakers championship ring. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Arasheben had only four weeks to finish the rings, but he delivered.
Basketball pro LeBron James during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018. | Photo: Getty Images
On Wednesday, December 23, the team showed off its stunning championship ring in a one-minute clip that featured scenes from the rings' production process.
The ring featured more carats of diamond than any other ring in NBA history and also paid homage to the legacy of the late NBA star in more ways than one. The video was shared with the caption:
"From start to finish. There's nothing like a championship ring."
Firstly, the design featured mamba snakes behind each player's jersey number, which is inscribed on the side of their corresponding ring.
The snakes became associated with Bryant when he adopted the "Black Mamba" moniker in the second half of his 20-year career.
The ring also featured a removable top that hides all of the Lakers' retired jerseys, with particular emphasis on the No. 8 and No. 24, which were worn by Bryant.
More importantly, it referenced the social justice movement that swept through the NBA with the word "unity" etched into every ring.
While other jerseys are gold, Bryant's appeared in black, which referenced the "Black Mamba" uniforms worn by the team following his death. Interestingly, Bryant designed the uniforms after he retired from the NBA in 2016.
On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers' returning staff and players received their rings ahead of the season opener against the LA Clippers. After receiving his ring, James paid tribute to Bryant in a touching Instagram post. He wrote:
"What I felt last night when I grabbed that ring from the case... Love and miss you my brother!!!! #Mamba4Life."
In January, Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven other people in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, Los Angeles.
Bryant's death sent shockwaves through the NBA and was even more devastating for his wife Vanessa Bryant and their three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
Apart from paying homage to Bryant, the ring also incorporated different elements of what was the longest season in NBA history.
More importantly, it referenced the social justice movement that swept through the NBA with the word "unity" etched into every ring.
In summary, the ring is a masterful piece of art, which evokes joyful memories and deep thoughts. However, the Lakers will do their best to ensure that complacency does not creep in and cause them to wait another decade for a championship ring.