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”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n