Happy Birthday Kobe Bryant: Fans get emotional on Black Mamba's 42nd birth anniversary

Fans celebrate the 42nd birth anniversary of one of the biggest personalities in world sports, late Kobe Bryant, on Sunday (August 23) with a heavy heart. Kobe, popularly known as Black Mamba, still remains one of the best ever to take on the basketball court whose rags to riches storyline still marks as an inspiration for millions. A National Basketball Association (NBA) champion - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 - and a Los Angeles Lakers (LA Lakers) legend, Kobe became the youngest ever player to make his debut in the league at 18 years, two months and 11 days.

However, the NBA superstar died in a helicopter crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who was also a budding hoopster on January 26, 2020.

Bryant moved to the entertainment industry following his retirement. In 2018, he won an Oscar for best animated short for a film called Dear Basketball, based on a poem he wrote about his retirement from the game. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three daughters — Natalia, (17), Bianka, (3), and 7-month-old Capri.

The two time Olympic gold medals for men's basketball in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and at the 2012 London Olympics will always remain one of the most decorated and adored personalities for his relentless contributions towards the society.

Even though he is no longer with us, Kobe fans flooded social media with heartwarming birthday posts on his 42nd birth anniversary:

HERE ARE THEIR REACTIONS:

Happy Birthday , Kobe Bryant 

Legends never die, forever in my heart pic.twitter.com/kgvWEXW4Zo

— Svai2ka (@Svai2ka) August 22, 2020

Today is Kobe Bryant's birthday.
RIP LEGEND  pic.twitter.com/WUZbBOp2Pn

— ManuInforma (@InformaManu) August 22, 2020

happy birthday Mamba  @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/QiX6EOrIxK

— r (@rafueruru) August 22, 2020

happy birthday in heaven,Kobe Bryant! pic.twitter.com/G1cuzPM1Jz

— daph (@yap_daphneee) August 22, 2020

Happy Birthday in Heaven to the one and only  @kobebryant miss you forever #lakers #blackmambab#foreveridol pic.twitter.com/ScPSS5lhMJ

— Denzel Ballestero (@ice_factor15) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday @kobebryant, we miss you!!! Mamba forever!  #goat #kobeday

— Morts (@PapaMorts) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday @kobebryant! Happy to see @KingJames continue your legacy! #LakeShow https://t.co/lmHkfKaaYc

— LakeShow  (@LakeShowLegion) August 23, 2020

Today is Kobe Bryant's birthday. RIP kobe and Gigi  pic.twitter.com/9IpRaGLRHv

— tega onojaife (@tegasupreme) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday 
Kobe Bryant in Heaven
#24 pic.twitter.com/SGSr8qOpkw

— Jovz(@joHOveYn05) August 23, 2020