The Mamba Invitational Championship Trophy Might Be One Of The Best Trophy Designs We've Ever Had

Cassy Athena. Getty Images.

I'm not sure if it's the whole quarantine brain ruining my sense of time as a result of the entire world shutting down, but it's hard to imagine it's been 4 years since Kobe's passing. One of those truly "where were you when" moments that almost doesn't seem real, even all these years later.

We've seen the Lakers create a series of statues to honor both Kobe and his daughter, and in addition to those Nike also created the Mamba Invitational which is a two-day tournament consisting of the best high school players in the country. Not a bad way to celebrate a legend if you ask me. A great way to showcase the next wave of talent while also honoring one of the greatest to ever do it.

For this year, they redid the Mamba Invitational championship trophy, and no bullshit it might be one of the sickest trophies I've ever seen

I don't care if you're a Laker fan or not, I don't care if you're a Kobe fan or not, there is simply no denying that this trophy kicks major ass. In fact, I'd go as far to say it's 100000000x better than a handful of current NBA trophies. For example, what's better, this trophy or what they have for the NBA Cup?

Brian Choi. Getty Images.

How about the All Star Game MVP trophy, which is now named after Kobe Bryant

Tyler Kaufman. Getty Images.

Am I crazy or should the NBA switch things up and make the All Star Game trophy the Mamba Invitational trophy? I mean the award is named after Kobe Bryant! Not to mention the current trophy stinks in my opinion. How on earth that got the stamp of approval is beyond me. 

If we're being honest, I also don't even really love the new MVP trophy either (no disrespect to MJ)

NBA Photos. Getty Images.

You can't tell me any of those are better than this Mamba trophy. In a day in age where all of these designs are boring and generally awful, the NBA needs to wake up and see if they can adopt this thing for at least the All Star MVP. Maybe the players would actually try in those games if they knew that a trophy like that was on the table. Plus, it would make for a much sweeter tattoo compared to what we currently have 

Maybe I'm just a huge pussy (I am), but that seems incredibly painful to me and nowhere near worth it. Then again I have zero tattoos (see: being a pussy), so what do I know.

Now, as a treat for clicking on this blog, feel free to kill some time at work by enjoying the dominance of the Black Mamba