August 24 (8/24) is known locally in Los Angeles as “Kobe Bryant Day” after the two jersey numbers Bryant wore during his illustrious NBA career, and The Black Mamba himself is celebrating it in style this year.
Bryant officially launched his latest shoe Thursday and tweeted challenges to a number of prominent athletes across several sports as part of the rollout. Most notably, he challenged new Cleveland Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas to make First Team All-NBA next season and challenged Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman to break the team’s single-season interception record.
The Man. The Myth. The Mamba.
Channel your #MambaMentality. pic.twitter.com/RESlbLEMVz
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) August 24, 2017
.@Isaiah_Thomas I challenge you to make the All-NBA First Team next season #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/kl8FN4JiO9
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017
.@RSherman_25 I challenge you to break the Seahawks single season interception record #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/4g9kOx2YhA
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017
Bryant also had challenges for Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, sprinter Allyson Felix, and even rapper Kendrick Lamar.
.@DeMar_DeRozan I challenge you to rekindle a lost friendship from your youth in Compton #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/82XF2elJ1f
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017
.@allysonfelix I challenge you to coach the sprinters for the upcoming Special Olympics #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/aaL6eiC9Lh
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017
.@KendrickLamar I challenge your record label to revolutionize the music program at Centennial High School #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/dviWdNbXMS
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017
It’s worth noting that, like Bryant, all of the above athletes are under the Nike endorsement umbrella. Nevertheless though, the Lakers legend has been quite the cross-sport influencer since retirement, and this is just another example.
