Los Angeles, California – The Los Angeles Lakers have announced plans to correct spelling errors on a statue of Kobe Bryant unveiled last month outside Crypto.com Arena. The errors were brought to light by journalist André Voigt, who identified mistakes such as misspelling Toronto guard José Calderón as “Jose Calderson” and former Laker Von Wafer as “Vom Wafer.” Additionally, the word “decision” was cast in bronze as “decicion,” according to reports.
Inspired by Bryant’s celebratory pose after scoring 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the 19-foot statue accurately depicts the players’ names and the spelling of the word “decision” from the game’s scorecard. The Lakers, who have been aware of the errors for a few weeks, are already taking steps to rectify the mistakes promptly, as stated by a team spokesperson.
The statue, unveiled on February 8th, features Bryant in his No. 8 jersey, commemorating his remarkable career with the Lakers. The event, attended by Bryant’s widow Vanessa, marked the first of three statues commissioned to honor the five-time NBA champion. The other statues will depict Bryant in his No. 24 jersey and alongside his daughter Gianna, who tragically passed away with him in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
While the unveiling of the statue was met with excitement and reverence for Bryant’s legacy, the errors on the sculpture have sparked discussions about attention to detail and accuracy in honoring the basketball legend. The Lakers’ swift response to correct the mistakes demonstrates their commitment to upholding the integrity of Bryant’s memorial.
The bronze statue is a symbolic tribute to Bryant’s indelible impact on the Lakers franchise and the basketball world as a whole. As fans and admirers continue to visit the statue and pay tribute to Bryant’s memory, the corrected version will ensure that his legacy is accurately preserved for future generations to admire and appreciate.