Nike celebrates Mamba Day with powerful ad featuring Taurasi, Booker
Aug 24, 2020, 5:19 PM | Updated: 5:21 pm
Aug. 24, or 8/24, represents Mamba Day with his two playing numbers, and 2020’s version was the first without Kobe Bryant after his death on Jan. 26.
Kobe Day follows Bryant’s birthday on Aug. 23, and to celebrate both occasions, Nike released a commercial to commemorate the basketball legend.
The ad narrated by musician Kendrick Lamar has Lamar wondering how the world would look if everyone took on Bryant’s mentality with basketball for being “better,” ranging from sports to as people and a community.
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is featured when Lamar mentions being a “better scorer” and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi comes after Booker when Lamar says “better GOAT.”
Booker and Taurasi both had special relationships with Bryant, as Booker idolized Bryant while Taurasi and Bryant shared a bond for their relentless spirit as competitors.
Taurasi spoke at the memorial for Bryant and his daughter Gianna while Booker attended.
On Sunday for Bryant’s birthday, Taurasi wore a No. 8 jersey with “Bryant” on the back against the Washington Mystics and scored 34 points.
