NBA stars wish Kobe Bryant a Happy 40th Birthday

In honour of Kobe Bryant's 40th birthday, we're rolling out Kobe Week! Each day we'll be celebrating his finest moments, pondering the unanswerable questions and diving into a legacy that's among the most storied in all of sports. 

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on Aug. 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pa. For 20 years he dazzled NBA crowds, earning the respect of legends and peers while inspiring the next generation of young players.

Join us in wishing @Lakers legend @kobebryant a HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY! #NBABDAY #Kobe40 pic.twitter.com/BssrxKnf5X

— NBA (@NBA) August 23, 2018

From former teammates and current Lakers to his biggest rivals, the basketball world hasn't held back in showing the Mamba birthday love.

Happy 40th bday brother! I’m so glad you will always be a little older 😜 pic.twitter.com/0SFs6dXYA3

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2018

There are no words in this world that can describe the mad love I have for you. I appreciate you Bean, you have been there for me during my darkest times until today and I hope until the end of times. We shined together in my most glorious times and those are like a tattoo in my heart . I can never repay you back for the unconditional love but I can tell you how much I appreciate you. Those memories we have together, nobody can take that away from us. Happy bday bro, you are forever my #1 brother for life. @kobebryant ❤️🙏🏿

A post shared by Lamar Odom (@lamarodom) on Aug 23, 2018 at 8:49am PDT

Happy birthday Bean, #thisgenerationsJordan pic.twitter.com/E8UyCqNitV

— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 23, 2018

Happy birthday to one of my mentors and my favorite player of all time @kobebryant

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 23, 2018

Scale 1 to 10.. how disrespectful? Happy birthday @kobebryant! Goat pic.twitter.com/LVpvmEwoer

— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) August 24, 2018

Legendary KOBEAN!!!!@kobebryant HAPPY BDAY!!! #influence

— KJ (@KJMcDaniels) August 24, 2018

🐐 https://t.co/ppTWyw3vmF

— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) August 24, 2018

Happy birthday to the “baddest” to ever lace them. #SKYBLUE @kobebryant

A post shared by Stanley Johnson (@stanimal) on Aug 23, 2018 at 1:57pm PDT

Welcome to the 40 club, @KobeBryant! Blessed to call you a teammate all those years, and a friend! #HBD #TBT

A post shared by Derek Fisher (@dereklfisher) on Aug 23, 2018 at 12:25pm PDT

Welcome to the Top of the Hill @kobebryant Much love and respect on your born day cuz

A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq) on Aug 23, 2018 at 6:06am PDT

✊🏾

A post shared by D'Angelo Russell (@dloading) on Aug 23, 2018 at 2:20pm PDT

Happy birthday, Kobe!