Vanessa Bryant, LeBron James, more pay tribute to Kobe on what would have been his 42nd birthday

It's been eight months since NBA all-star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi Bryant and seven others had their lives cut short in a shocking and tragic helicopter crash. Despite the absolute rollercoaster of global events that has unfolded in 2020 since that sad day, the Black Mamba's legacy has not been forgotten. On August 23, what would have been his 42^nd birthday, tributes from both the entertainment and sports spheres poured in for the basketball legend across social media.Most notably, Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant posted an emotional tribute to her late husband on her private Instagram account, also remembering their daughter Gigi.

Vanessa Bryant’s birthday tribute to Kobe Bryant ? pic.twitter.com/7fSn3obHk2

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 23, 2020

“To my baby ~ Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain,” she began her heart-wrenching tribute, next to a portrait of the two of them.  “I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi. I miss your big hugs, your kisses, your smile, your loud ass deep laugh.”“I miss teasing you, making you laugh and bursting your bubble. I miss you sitting on my lap like my big baby that you are. I think about your tenderness and patience all the time. I think about everything you would do in situations to help me deal with everything thrown my way,” she continued. "Thank you for loving me enough to last several lifetimes. In every lifetime I would choose YOU... Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, Capri and I wish you a happy birthday my love. I love you for now, forever and for always."[video_embed id='1897860']RELATED: The late Kobe Bryant appears in Season 3 of 'Sidelines' [/video_embed]LeBron James posted a video on Instagram of the two All Stars from Kobe’s 30^th birthday celebrations, back when the two slam dunkers were on the USA Olympic basketball team, vying for a gold medal. “Happy Bday my brother!! Miss you man!!” James wrote in the caption alongside the throwback video where he gets the entire room to sing Happy Birthday.

 

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Happy Bday my brother!! Miss you man!! #LongLive? #GoneButNeverEverForgotten??

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Aug 23, 2020 at 10:56am PDT

Another NBA Kobe contemporary, Dwyane Wade, shared a photo of the two of them casually catching up along with his birthday wishes. Alex Rodriguez shared an in memorium video of his friend of 20 years along with photos of him and Jennifer Lopez posing with Kobe and Vanessa. Tyrese Gibson shared a picture of himself and the athlete bowling at an NBA All Star event.

 

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We miss you Kobe Bean Bryant! Happy Birthday??????????#mambaforever

A post shared by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on Aug 23, 2020 at 11:17am PDT

 

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Legends are missed, but never forgotten. . I had the pleasure of calling Kobe Bryant my friend for 20 years. Nobody, and I mean nobody, worked harder and more passionately to be great, day in and day out. As a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as a husband and as a father. . On what would be his 42nd birthday, I ask that everyone please say a prayer for Vanessa and his family. . Love you, Kobe. ?? . #MambaForever

A post shared by Alex Rodriguez (@arod) on Aug 23, 2020 at 8:39am PDT

 

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Happy birthday KING KOBE!!!!!!!! Still can’t believe you’re gone...... Still inspired by you and still praying for your wife and children.....

A post shared by TYRESE (@tyrese) on Aug 23, 2020 at 6:32am PDT

Drake showed off his Kobe-inspired footwear from his Toronto home closet in his Instagram Stories, captioning the videos with, “Kobe Day.”

Drake shows off his massive Kobe Bryant sneaker collection ?? pic.twitter.com/V6SfjKbP0y

— HOT 97 (@HOT97) August 24, 2020

Kendrick Lamar narrated a Kobe “Better: Mamba Forever” tribute for Nike which is truly more of a short film than an ad. Viola Davis expressed her love for the late star, reminding the world, "We will love you forever." Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber all shared tributes as well.

Remembering you and honoring you on this day. We will love you forever @KobeBryant. You will always be alive to us. Sending blessings and prayers to Vanessa and the family today ?????? pic.twitter.com/GrmJizugjn

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) August 23, 2020

Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe’s former team, posted a sweet tribute on their official Twitter account too.

We miss you every day, Kobe. Happy birthday from your Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/6hzwFXgkwh

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020

In honour of August 24, AKA Kobe Bryant Day which was established in the city of Los Angeles in 2016, L.A. city councilmembers moved to officially rename a street near the Staples Center, where Kobe played with the Lakers, after "The King of L.A." A three-mile stretch of Figueroa Street would be renamed to Kobe Bryant Boulevard if the motion passes.[video_embed id='2019998']BEFORE YOU GO: Jay-Z and Pharrell team up for new music that shines a spotlight on Black entrepreneurs[/video_embed]