Spelling errors found on Kobe Bryant statue; Lakers working to correct mistakes
The new Kobe Bryant statue outside of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles will reportedly be getting an update after multiple spelling mistakes were found in the etching around the base of the sculpture.
On Sunday, basketball reporter Dré Voigt posted pictures on X, formerly Twitter, of spelling errors he found on the statue commemorating the Los Angeles Lakers icon, which features a box score from Bryant's 81-point game in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. The sculpture shows Bryant in a pose from his landmark performance – the second-most points scored by a player in NBA history.
The mistakes include Raptors guard José Calderón's name spelled "Calderson," Lakers guard Von Wafer's first name written as "Vom" and an erroneous "Coach's Decicion."
According to ESPN, the Lakers said on Monday that they are planning to correct the mistakes.
"We have been aware of this for a few weeks and are already working to get it corrected soon," a team spokesperson told the publication.
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The statue is the first of three planned tributes to the five-time champion, who died in a January 2020 helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna. It was unveiled on February 8 to commemorate his No. 8 jersey, which the bronze figure is wearing.
Bryant's widow, Vanessa, said the two other statues will be one of Kobe and Gianna and the other will feature Kobe in his No. 24 jersey.