Los Angeles Celebrates Kobe Bryant Day

Aug. 24 is now officially Kobe Bryant Day in Los Angeles, and the city’s political class took full advantage Wednesday as it hosted the town’s biggest star.

Kobe, with his family in tow, was feted at City Hall.

The Black Mamba talked about his extremely-busy post-basketball life.

Per the Daily News:

Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, is pregnant with the couple’s third daughter, and the retired Lakers superstar told his other two girls, Natalia and Gianna, they would need to help explain to their sister why Bryant had a day named in his honor. […] “She’s going to have no idea that I was actually an OK basketball player,” he joked.

 

Hundreds of fans crammed the council chambers to see Bryant. Many sported Bryant’s jerseys — a smattering of 8s and 24s — while others held signs. They cheered wildly when Bryant entered through a back entrance and joined Councilman Jose Huizar, who authored the resolution, in singing “Happy Birthday.” Bryant turned 38 on Tuesday. […] In addition to wild adulation for Bryant’s achievements with the Lakers, the event had a serious tone, as members of the council thanked Bryant and his family for their efforts to help families in need through the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which has partnered with various groups to raise awareness for many social issues in the area, including homelessness.

 

Bryant has moved fully into his post-playing career, focusing on philanthropy and business endeavors, including a $100 million investment fund he announced on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. He said phasing into the new chapter has not been a challenge. […] “It’s a process that I’ve been on for 17 years,” he said, “trying to figure out what came next.”