How to Play as Kobe Bryant In "NBA 2K20"

It's one way to pay tribute.

Around the world, millions of people are grieving the death of Kobe Bryant—even though they never met the man. And that’s okay.

Following the helicopter crash that claimed his life and the lives of eight others, including his daughter Gianna, basketball fans have been stunned into a state of mourning, not sure what to do.

If anything, those who aren’t immediate family members or friends may feel a profound sense of helplessness at this tragedy, unsure how to be process their emotions.

It’s important to note that it’s normal to grieve someone you don’t personally know; icons and heroes hold an outsized role in our lives, and your feelings of sadness and despair are valid.

Some in Los Angeles are sharing their grief by visiting Staples Center; others around the world are painting murals; even more are simply expressing their broken hearts on social media.

Many, no doubt, will have a sudden urge to watch Kobe’s classic Lakers highlights. And others will want to embody the man and see him back on the court—an impossibility, except in NBA 2K20.

If you’ve had a sudden urge to play as Kobe on the PS4 or Xbox One, that’s understandable. In fact, the game lets you do it in a variety of ways.

Here’s how…

In NBA 2K20, you have the option to play as Current NBA Teams (comprising the current rosters), All-Time NBA Teams (made up of a team’s best ever players) and Classic NBA Teams (using the specific rosters for iconic championship contenders). When selecting a team in Play Now mode, simply hit L1 or R1 on the PS4 or LB and RB on the Xbox to cycle through the different variations.

By doing this on the Lakers, you’ll be able to play as a 98-rated Kobe alongside the All-Timers, including Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Magic Johnson. (Unfortunately, unless you make it so in MyLeague mode, where you can trade for Kobe, or purchase his card in MyTeam, you can’t put him on the same team as LeBron James just yet.)

You also have two options in the Classic teams. There’s the ’00 – ‘01 Lakers, with a 96-scored Kobe (still with his hair) and the Black Mamba edition of Kobe, rated 94, on the ’03 – ‘04 team.

The best part is you can actually pit these different Kobes against one another. And if we learned anything about Mamba Mentality, this may be the only opponent Kobe really felt gave him a run for his money.

It's also important to note that NBA 2K20 has a WNBA mode, and given Kobe's championing of the women's basketball league, you may want to pay tribute by giving some of those teams and players a spin too, including one of his protégés, Candace Parker.

“Bosses push, leaders pull… That’s who he was.” @Candace_Parker on what made Kobe a unique leader. pic.twitter.com/NVf3QtKeIv

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2020

Otherwise, feel free to follow in the footsteps of other players, who are simply deciding to take 24-second violations in honour of Kobe during their games.

Someone online just took a 24 second violation against me in 2K💙 pic.twitter.com/GlN0AoljJo

— 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙞 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚⏰ (@time_shai) January 27, 2020

NBA 2K20 is now available. (Affiliate disclosure: Student Edge may earn a commission if you click that link and buy a product from our partner's page.)

Read More:

Do You Need NBA 2K20 If You Have NBA 2K19 or Older?

Here’s How to Dunk in NBA 2K20 (Because It's the Only Way to Fly)

Here’s How to Shoot in NBA 2K20 (Because It’s Never Been More Scarily Accurate)

Here's How to Defend in NBA 2K20 (Including Steals, Flops and Intentional Fouls)

How to Trade Players in "NBA 2K20" (and Always Get Who You Want)

Here’s How to Do Dribble Moves in NBA 2K20 (From Spins to Crossovers)

Here’s How to Pump Fake and Fake Pass in NBA 2K20

Here’s How to "Eurostep" in NBA 2K20 (and Play Like Giannis)

How to Get Bonus VC in NBA 2K20

Header Image: Christian Petersen / Staff via Getty Images North America