Left image via Frazer Harrison / Getty Images / Right image via Stephen R. Sylvanie // 

The two GOATS truly respected each other…

Sunday marked Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday, the first birthday of his that’s passed since his and his daughter Gianna’s untimely death. It’s fair to say the world will never truly recover from the loss, and the Mamba will forever be the subject of tributes wherever you go. The latest of those tributes comes from Nike, who decided to link up with L.A. legend Kendrick Lamar to pay tribute to the Mamba in their latest ad “Better/ Mamba Forever”, narrated by Lamar himself.

“Kobe taught us to be better,” Kung-Fu Kenny begins, with various images of Kobe throughout his youth flashing upon the screen before showcasing countless athletes and individuals from all walks of life, showing Kobe’s far-reaching influence across sport as well as life in general.

“Better leader, better generation, better nation. Just be better. Can you do that?… Better me, better you, better us.” By the time the trailer nears its end, you can literally feel the emotion radiating off Lamar’s vocals. It’s clear Kobe had a profound impact on him, like he did so many countless people.

The weekend also saw mad birthday messages and post flood in for the Mamba, but the most important at all came from his widow Vanessa Bryant, writing “To my baby~ Happy birthday. I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi.”

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#VanessaBryant writes a beautiful message to her late husband #KobeBryant on his 42nd birthday as well as her baby Gigi ❤️ #RIPKobe #RIPGigi #MambaForever 💜💛

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Aug 23, 2020 at 8:58am PDT

It’s definitely a moving read, and it’s clear that the intense love for Kobe will never fade. Check the inspiring Nike ad for his birthday below for some gorgeous Monday motivation.