Kobe Bryant Trademarks Phrase: 'Friends Hang Sometimes Banners Hang Forever'

Being Kobe's friend means you'll always be second-best.

To what, you ask? His championship rings!

The Black Mamba's been busy investing with his business Kobe, Inc., created in 2014, including Body Armor and The Player's Tribune. Even phrases were for the taking.

Most notable of the many claimed, wordsmithed expressions is the camaraderie-inspiring "Friends Hang Sometimes Banners Hang Forever."

With a literal fistful of NBA Finals diamond bands in his collection (and five matching banners displayed in the Staples Center), there's no disputing that Bryant is familiar enough with the rewards of hoisting a Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to make that assertion.

No doubt his jersey (with a yet-to-be-determined number) will be forever presiding over the hardwood too. But with his seven-game series days in the rearview, it's perhaps unwise of No. 24 to select his achievements over his companions.

After all, come retirement, he may need friends more than rings.

[Twitter, h/t The Big Lead]