ATLANTA >> As he once dominated his opponents with endless scoring bursts with an intimidating glare, Kobe Bryant became known as “The Black Mamba. As he has slithered and hunted his prey in Zoo Atlanta, the black mamba became known as “Kobe.”
Only four days into Bryant’s official farewell tour, and it turns out opposing teams will not just honor him with video tributes and Lakers-friendly crowds. With the Lakers (3-15) playing the Atlanta Hawks (12-9) on Friday at Philips Arena, the Hawks and Atlanta Zoo announced that the zoo has renamed its black mamba snake in honor of Bryant.