This is the story about NBA superheroes and what better way to start than with Kobe Bryant. In the 2012 All-Star game Kobe had his nose broken by Dwyane Wade. Now rather than sticking to the traditional clear mask, Kobe ended up transforming himself into the first NBA “Black Panther”.
It didn’t give him any special powers though. Kobe shot 1-of-6 from the field with the mask and ended up swapping it back for a clear one. It cost the Lakers dearly in an overtime loss to the Pistons, and so, the first chapter in this story didn’t end too well.
The next chapter begins in 2012 when Kyrie Irving played the “Black Panther” role wearing a mask. Kyrie Irving wearing a mask?! Nah, I’m not talking about a COVID protective mask.
Irving donned a black mask while at the Cavaliers in a game against the Knicks. There are a few reasons why NBA players wear masks and Irving wore one to protect a broken jaw. Irving became a hero scoring 41-points in what was a career-high performance at the time.
His sharpshooting performance of 15-of-25 shooting was without a doubt all because of the special powers vested in him from the back mask. Who cares that the Knicks ended up winning the game by a point.
Real life superhero Lebron James then had a go at playing Black Panther in 2014, brandishing a jet black carbon-fibre mask to protect a broken nose, again, against the Knicks. There just be something villainous about New York. Arkham City much?
NBA wack for not letting him rock the black mask after that game shit goes dumb hard pic.twitter.com/DKyg521n6a
— #SOSCUBA (@Eddie_Patron) April 18, 2020
The Heat beat the Knicks 108-82 with James scoring 31 points, grabbing four rebounds and four assists all no doubt thanks to his new superhero mask. The black mask looked out of this worldly mint with the throwback Heat jerseys but it would be the last time we’d see the black mask for some time as the league requested that James wear a clear mask instead of the black mask.
In 2018 we saw the return of Black Panther as Joel Embiid wore a high-tech carbon and polycarbonate mask. After copping an orbital fracture he wore the mask so he could take part in the 2018 playoffs. He helped the Sixers to a win over the Heat with 23 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, 3 blocks and a steal.
Joel Embiid going with the mask/goggles combo for his return to action. pic.twitter.com/2puHlsS5KI
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 19, 2018
Justise Winslow then played King T’Challa by stepping on Joel Embiids mask after Embiid threw his mask away in frustration. Winslow ended up copping a $15,000 fine but Embiid had the last laugh as the Sixers would take the series 4-1.
Justise Winslow stepped on Embiid’s mask 💀 pic.twitter.com/8DmSX5iiPJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2018
I’m convinced that wearing a mask gives players superpowers. Unfortunately the only face masks we’re talking about in today’s game are the ones protecting us from COVID.
"The NBA fined Brooklyn Nets' point guard Kyrie Irving $50,000 for not wearing a mask at a family gathering."
HELL NAH 😂😂https://t.co/KawXKyZESH
— The Constitutionalist (@DoniTheDon_) January 16, 2021
