Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His passing in January 2020 drove a stake through the hearts of basketball fans around the world. But one negative outcome of his passing was the ballooning prices on memorabilia. Vannessa Bryant herself has taken a move to ensure that Kobe’s legacy is available to most for cheaper than what Nike was when they ended Kobe’s shoe contract with Nike.

But privately owned jerseys are something that can’t be controlled, and someone is going to make a small fortune out of selling a game-worn Kobe Bryant jersey from his rookie year. It was for a game he played against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the jersey is being auctioned by Goldin Auctions. It is expected to break Michael Jordan‘s record for the most expensive jersey.

MJ’s jersey sold for over $570,000, so Kobe will have some catching up to do. But the demise of Bryant has caused people to spend exorbitant amounts of money in trying to recreate the bond they felt with the player, and items that he personally used have become one of the most expensive in the collectibles market.

Kobe Bryant: Remembered by an enduring legacy?

Kobe Bryant and his old jerseys may be selling for half a million dollars, but that isn’t what Bryant should be remembered by. The reason the price will be so high is because of how people loved Kobe. The Black Mamba gave fans 20 years of entertainment on the court, picking up five NBA Titles in the process.

In terms of what he achieved, Bryant set the bar for modern players. His ‘Mamba Mentality’ has become a regularly used term in basketball. It refers to being locked in and dedicated to a point that nobody can stop one from being the best. Bryant proved that on the court, and his fans will embody that spirit and help extend his legacy.

Sure, having the most expensive jersey of all time is neat, but it doesn’t compare to what these players achieve on the court. As long as they can be remembered as the best, these achievements seem more insignificant.