If you don t die, with Kobe s influence, the NBA s influence can be taken to a higher level.

June 6, January 26, 2020, the helicopter crashed in the Calabasas Mountains in California took away not only a basketball superstar, but also a symbol of an era. Five years later, when we look back at the legacy left by Kobe Bryant, we can't help but imagine: If that tragedy did not happen, how will this "Black Mamba" who always wears a purple and gold robe continue to push the NBA to a broader stage in his unique way?

**The accelerator of globalization**

Kobe's international influence far exceeds that of the basketball field. According to official NBA data, in 2019, before his death, Kobe still won the top five votes as a retired player in the NBA All-Star Game vote. Among the current players, only LeBron James can compare with this cultural appeal that spans the region. If Kobe is still alive, he is likely to become a key figure in the NBA's expansion of the African market - in 2019 he was the image ambassador of the Basketball African League (BAL). Referring to Jordan's continued promotion of brand globalization after his retirement, Kobe can fully help the NBA achieve breakthroughs in emerging markets such as India and the Middle East with his deep popularity accumulated in China, Europe and Southeast Asia. Tencent Sports' report released in 2025 shows that the NBA's viewership growth rate in India has slowed down for two consecutive years, which is the time to require a cross-cultural idol like Kobe.

**Expansion of business territory**

Nike's "Bryant Series" sneakers set a record for replica sales in 2024, proving that their commercial value has not faded over time. If Kobe personally participates in designing the co-branded model, it is likely to form an independent sub-brand like Jordan's AJ series. What is more worthy of attention is his keen sense of technology investment - the BodyArmor sports drink invested by Kobe during his lifetime was eventually acquired by Coca-Cola at a valuation of US$8 billion. Referring to James' path of getting involved in film and television production through SpringHill, and based on the Oscars that Kobe Studios has won, he is completely possible to build a cross-border platform connecting sports and entertainment. ESPN analyst Bobby Marks once calculated that if Kobe participates in NBA media copyright negotiations (a new cycle will begin in 2025), his multiple identities as a player, producer and commentator can bring additional bargaining power to the league.

**Inheritance of competitive spirit**

In terms of basketball technology evolution, Kobe's "Details" teaching series has accumulated views on YouTube that have exceeded 1.5 billion times. Active players such as Tatum and Devin Booker have publicly stated that they have improved their skills by studying Kobe's video recording. If he is still in the coaching seat or management, with his strict training standards, he is likely to cultivate a new generation of "Mamba disciples". It is particularly noteworthy that the new mid-season tournament in the 2024 NBA was criticized for lacking historical background, which is exactly the area where Kobe is good at giving a sense of ritual - recalling how he transformed the "24-point tribute" of the All-Star Game into a warm moment that is attracting attention from the world. The general manager of an Eastern team revealed anonymously: "When we design key ball tactics, we will still discuss how Kobe will choose. "[2]** Extension of social influence**

The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, established after Kobe's death, has provided sports opportunities for 100,000 disadvantaged youths. Referring to the model of James' "I PROMISE" school, it is entirely possible for the living Kobe to expand the charity program to the world. At a time when the equal rights movement is in turmoil, his appeal as a model of success in Africans is particularly precious. "Time" magazine specifically pointed out in 2023 that "Sports Changeers": "Kobe's support for women's sports is revolutionary. "The legacy of his daughter Gigi may have promoted the WNBA attention to achieve geometric growth through the father-daughter profile - the WNBA ratings in 2024 are only equivalent to 3% of the NBA. This number may be rewritten if Kobe intervenes.

**Transformation of league image**

In the NBA's response to public relations crises such as Morey incident and player protests, there is a lack of mediators like Kobe who have both the popularity of the East and the right to speak in the West. An official from the Chinese Basketball Association once said privately: "Bryant understands how to build bridges between different cultures." At the same time, Kobe's network of relationships with a new generation of stars is imaginative: the "Detail" analysis program he and Curry filmed could have been continued, and the dialogue with Doncic's "European Basketball Inheritance" can enhance the sense of belonging to international players. Even for new stars like Wenban Yama, Kobe's French ability and French background are excellent links.

**Unfinished Mamba Legacy**

For five years, we have witnessed the "Mamba League" youth event named after Kobe swept across the United States, seeing the All-Star MVP trophy permanently engraved his number, but all these commemorations highlight a huge gap. When Jokic said "this championship is dedicated to Kobe" after winning the championship in 2024, when Edwards made the "24" gesture after the final victory, the NBA was essentially still consuming Kobe's symbolic value, but lost his ability to continue to create new value.

Looking back at this node in 2025, Kobe's death is not only a loss to the basketball world, but also an important chapter that has been forcibly deleted in the evolution of global sports culture. His business wisdom, international vision and rigorous spirit could have provided a unique solution for the NBA in this new era where short videos impact professional sports, legalization of gambling, and AI technology to reshape the training system. Just as Jordan defined the 1.0 era of the NBA globalization, James led the 2.0 era, we will never know how Kobe's 3.0 blueprint will change the trajectory of the world's top basketball league. The only thing that is certain is that whenever the players shout "Mamba Mentality" at a critical moment, the man who should have shown his signature sneer on the sidelines is still reminding the world in the most cruel way: the reason why legends are immortal is because they always stay in the most glorious moments.