Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant delivered a Twitter-breaking performance for the ages last night in the final game of a spectacular NBA career, pouring in a mesmerizing 60 points on a night when he returned to vintage Black Mamba form. All the while, a Staples Center full of legends, luminaries and lifetime fans -- and millions more watching elsewhere -- turned #MambaDay into an international holiday and a global social media phenomenon.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant delivered a Twitter-breaking performance for the ages last night in the final game of a spectacular NBA career, pouring in a mesmerizing 60 points on a night when he returned to vintage Black Mamba form. All the while, a Staples Center full of legends, luminaries and lifetime fans — and millions more watching elsewhere — turned #MambaDay into an international holiday and a global social media phenomenon.
As late Wednesday night morphed into early Thursday morning, #MambaDay steadily morphed into #MambaOut and #ThankYouKobe. Such is the case when a living legend offers such a masterful farewell performance. You never want it to end. So imagine my delight this morning when I arrived at the office (a little later than normal thanks to Kobe) and discovered a still-wrapped 2016 Kobe Bryant HeroVillain Box Set just begging to be previewed.
The unique product includes differing HeroVillain perspectives on career-defining moments hand-picked by Bryant himself. The box set features two distinct 21-card HeroVillain packs, one featuring Kobe’s most inspiring moments and his farewell, the other recapping those moments in his own words. Also included in each box set is a five-card parallel pack, giving collectors a chance at eye-catching Red MVP, Blue O’Brien Trophy, Purple Eight, Gold Twenty Four and rare Black Mamba parallels.
The set also includes the opportunity to find Kobe’s signature via rare and randomly inserted autographed versions of the 21 HeroVillain cards.
In the Teaser Gallery that follows, we take you inside one early HeroVillain Box Set. Given Bryant’s otherworldly performance from last night, we decided to open just the Hero pack. We also opened the special five-card parallel pack just to give collectors an idea of what to expect.
Enjoy the sneak peek. You can get your own Kobe Bryant HeroVillain Box Set now at iCollectPanini.com and at PaniniAuthentic.com.
Hi Tracy, great job on the set! Are there only 21 autographed cards?
I agree! I wish I could take credit but I will certainly pass along the kind words to our folks here who put it together. As for Kobe autographs included, there are 21 cards that include autographed versions. While the autographs are really limited, there are significantly more than just 21 total autographs. Hope this helps.
Thanks Team Panini for making this.. I remember 2012-13 Products which we all get a bonus Kobe pack! This is even more better since it’s a box meant for my idol alone.
Yeah last Night’s game is definitely one for the ages and it over shadowed #Warriors record breaking 73 wins. I could not be happier for Kobe as he deserved so much better than what kind of team he was dealt for a couple of years ago. It’s a Hollywood written fairytale story for him to score 60 points and without missing a single shot after the Lakers were down 96-86 and under 3 minutes in the game. Kobe’s Mastery of basic fundamentals showed in his game as it propelled him to get those shots off despite having diminished athleticism. This Is Heroes and villain is a perfect prerogative since he is love in LA La Land and Lakers Fans and Hated- but #Respected by opponents and non Kobe- fan.
There will only one Kobe and I’m so Glad that he bleeds Purple and Gold.
#MambaOut
Great looking parallels and photography in this release, excellent way to cap a tremendous career! Thanks Tracy!