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SAN ANTONIO -- Thanks to Kobe Bryant, Matt Bonner's life was instantly changed on January 22, 2013. The San Antonio Spurs forward had carved out a niche in the NBA as a more than serviceable role player, dependable three-pointer shooter and fan favorite yet on that day, Bryant elevated Bonner's popularity to a level he never could've never imagined.

Watching his historic 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, Bryant hopped on Twitter and live tweeted his memories about the game. Bryant even interacted with fans and when one perhaps jokingly asked the Lakers star about the now retired Brian Scalabrine not being in the game to shut him down, Kobe had the perfect response.

When this game occurred, Bonner was in his second season with the Raptors and had a solid peformance against the Lakers. Finishing the game with 12 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3PT), two rebounds, one steal and a block, Bonner didn't actually matchup with Bryant but the Lakers star with this tweet must've appreciated his play. Especially since he put a spin on his own self-given nickname, the "Black Mamba," by calling Bonner the "Red Mamba." A high honor coming from a player of Bryant's caliber who unlike his former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, rarely doles out nicknames to other players. 

Till this point, Bonner was affectionately known as the "Red Rocket" because of his red hair and his frequent use of the subway system in Toronto, whose slogan is "Ride the Rocket." But with this single tweet from Bryant, Bonner became known as the "Red Mamba," a moniker he has wholeheartedly embraced.

Selling "Red Mamba" t-shirts that benefit his Rock On Foundation, Bonner has even used the nickname as an alias when DJ-ing and for a video series where he interviews rappers called "Wrapping with the Red Mamba." The nickname has also helped Bonner secure a sponsorship deal with the Texas-based soda company Big Red, who recently put an image of the Spurs forward on limited edition cans and bottles.

And now with Bryant retiring at the end of the season, Bonner can only express tremendous gratitude for the Lakers star for giving him his nickname.

"In a weird, random sort of way I will have a bond with him forever because he gave me that nickname," Bonner told CBS Sports before the Spurs played the Lakers on Friday. "It caught on and it stuck. I will always be grateful for that."

Although the Spurs have played the Lakers several times since Bryant's 2013 tweet, Bonner has yet to thank the future Hall-of-Famer for his "Red Mamba" nickname. For Bonner it was very close to a life changing moment but he wonders if Bryant even remembers it.

"I wonder does he even remember...is he even aware?" Bonner told CBS Sports. "He’s so great and famous, that he may not even know how big it was for me. He might not even remember tweeting it. But for me and for everyone in my lowly circles, it was a big deal."

With the Spurs playing the Lakers three more times this season, let's hope Bonner will have the opportunity to actually thank Bryant. A future Hall-of-Famer not named Tim Duncan, Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili that has made a tremendous impact on Bonner's career.

The Black Mamba goes up for a shot against the Red Mamba.
The Black Mamba goes up for a shot against the Red Mamba. (USATSI)