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The Lakers x Bibigo x Jinjo Crew

Taylor Geas

There is a sit-down interview that Kobe Bryant had done with the New York Times where he talked about this concept he called “the infinite groove.” The article’s writer, Philip Galanes, asked Kobe if “being great in the clutch means knowing there’s a moment after the clutch?” To which Kobe replied, “there’s an infinite groove. Whether you make the shot or miss it is inconsequential.

The mindset conveys that the result isn’t promised, no matter what. There’s no insurance that you will make the shot or achieve your dreams. There’s also no promise that you won’t — and that’s why you should do it. Because all that is promised is the infinite groove.

The infinite groove looks a little something like this:

At the intersection of South Inglewood Ave and West 133rd Street in Hawthorne, California, about a mile and a half from Leuzinger High School, stands A Baseball Clubhouse and Comic Books shop. Los Angeles Muralist, Gustavo Zermeño Jr. approached the shop owners Philip and Phyllis Knoll and asked if he could paint a mural of Hawthorne Native, Leuzinger alum, and Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook.

The store owners happily agreed, Gustavo got going.

The mural details the dichotomy of Russel Westbrook’s past flowing into his future. The Leuzinger Olympians Gymnasium sets the scene on the left and STAPLES Center on the right. The colors white, blue, and red bleed into purple and gold.

“I'm gonna’ make sure I just do my part in going out and playing for him and through him as I compete in this uniform," Westbrook said of his return to LA, his new team, and his admiration for Kobe.

Gustavo has been galvanizing his city with pieces like these for seven years.

It was his high school art teacher that introduced him to the different styles of painting. “I fell in love with going bigger,” he said, “the canvases just kept getting bigger and bigger.”

It was never going to be anything other than murals for the Venice native. He explained that he would work different jobs to give back to his city and community, but the dream was always a full-time muralist. Now, he’s been called upon by many major LA sports team to depict their team and inspire his city.

The honor is not lost on him. In fact, every mural features elements of depth, sometimes elements only true LA fans could pick up on. His latest mural on the corner of West 133rd street is no different.

This piece celebrates Westbrook’s return to his home city and imparts to kids around his neighborhood that their dreams are much closer than they may think.

When asked about Gustavo’s Westbrook mural, commissioned by the Lakers and their Global Marketing Partner, bibigo, Phil looked so pleased with his role in the promise of inspiring the younger generation around the neighborhood. He said, “I’ve seen four generations come in here together.”

Phil explained that in his past life he worked in aerospace, but then one day it dawned on him — his corporate job wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life. He wasn’t fulfilled and he wasn’t going to do it anymore.

He had always been enamored with sports and the legends the sports world produced. His wife Phyllis Knoll explained, “Oh, Phil could talk to you about anyone, what they’ve done, and what year. Ask him, ask him,” she urged.

“He remembers everything,” she ensured.

And his saving of memorabilia was second nature even before opening the store. He pointed to a 1960 Los Angeles Dodgers ticket tacked onto the wall and smiled, “I had just gotten home from the service, and my grandfather took me to a game. I passed as a young boy so he bought me a kid’s ticket,” the shop owner said with a smirk.

In 1993, the Clubhouse was robbed and vandalized. The act resulted in a fire that left Phil and Phyllis with over $100,000 in damages and only $25 in Phil’s pocket.

Phyllis shook her head remembering the hardship. Phil looked stoic, “that’s life sometimes, we made it through,” he said.

Gustavo finished his Westbrook piece on Saturday, October 16, 2021 in his No. 8 Black Mamba jersey. He gave Phil the honors of painting the numbers on the shot clock; 02:08 and 24 seconds. The numbers pay tribute to Kobe and his daughter.

The mural of Westbrook stands there, a mile and a half from his high school, with his hands raised in the air, shouting, what one can only assume is, “why not?”

“Why not,” the mindset that propelled the NBA’s leader in triple-doubles to greatness. The mantra that is the pillar of his Why Not? Foundation which uplifts and empowers underserved youth. “Why not?” the question one asks themself right before entering the infinite groove.&gt;

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