Rapper Snoop Dogg’s Parting Gift for Kobe Bryant: A New Los Angeles Lakers Car!

Famed hip-hop artist and renowned Los Angeles Lakers basketball fan Snoop Dogg showed off an amazing parting gift for retiring basketball superstar Kobe Bryant.

He bought Kobe a new car.

Unbelievable retirement gift from my man Snoop today #KB20 pic.twitter.com/vTATznwnKc

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) July 7, 2016

Snoop Dogg’s customized Lakers-themed convertible, the Washington Post noted, is emblazoned with the gold and purple of the Lakers, and includes a special painted Kobe Bryant/Los Angeles Lakers homage in honor of the rapper’s close friend, emblazoned on top of the hood.

This display also includes Laker greats such as Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, former broadcaster Chick Hearn (who passed away in 2002). Ironically, ultimate fanboy Snoop Dogg is also shown as part of the collage in a Lakers’ uniform.

Kobe Bryant, of course, retired from the NBA this year after 20 seasons in the league, all with the Lakers.

During the course of his career, the Philadelphia area-born star accrued 18 All-Star appearances, 15 spots on the “All-NBA Team,” 12 on the “NBA All-Defensive Team,” and two league-leading scoring titles. He is also third on both the NBA’s all-time regular season and postseason scoring lists, in addition to holding the record for the most consecutive seasons with one franchise.

Kobe Bryant also famously collected five NBA titles for his trophy case as well.

Long before presenting him with this grand gesture, however, Snoop Dogg has many times over proven his mettle as a fan of his L.A. Lakers. In fact, Snoop was among a number of prominent celebrities to regularly attend the team’s basketball games at the Staples Center. He had also gained a reputation for becoming quite friendly with Bryant, whom he affectionately referred to with Kobe’s signature “Black Mamba” nickname, as well as a number of Bryant’s teammates.

Notably, 44-year-old Snoop Dogg was also in attendance for Bryant’s final game in Los Angeles this past Spring, as noted by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Snoop Dogg has also been known, from time to time, to sing about his affinity for Bryant and the Lakers during his performances, including remixing his one song “Black and Yellow” as “Purp and Yellow.”

This particular Snoop remix includes a verse that goes “Swish! Twenty-four!” That’s Black Mamba,” a reference to the Dogg’s close friend.

Snoop Dogg, of course, has hardly been the only friend or colleague to say goodbye to the famed basketball player with a grandiose gesture. Since announcing his plans for retirement, Bryant has been on the receiving end of a number of parting gifts from friends and colleagues.

• A section of Boston Garden’s hardwood floor (Boston Celtics).
• Skiis and a season-long ski pass (Utah Jazz).
• A set of every signature Air Jordan sneaker version (Michael Jordan).

Perhaps his favorite prize, however, is the gift from Snoop.

The duo each posted to their Instagram accounts to document Snoop’s very generous parting gift. Of note, one image showed Bryant wearing a baseball cap, which the Washington Post noted was from Kobe’s signature line of branded apparel, that says “Hero” while Snoop has on one that says “Villain.”

If asked today, however, Kobe Bryant would be highly unlikely to call his very generous friend Snoop Dogg a villain of any sorts.

[Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images]