A very sad news today in the world of basketball. The LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant (Black Mamba) died in a Helicopter Crash today. RIP Idol. https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/kobe-bryant-dead-helicopter-crash-lakers-1203480844/amp/
^Also with him was his 13-year old daughter Gianna. Paul Pierce succinctly said it: “Kobe Byrant struck fear in our classic Lakers-Celtics days. It was an honor to have fought him.”
Choking up after seeing all the tributes to Kobe: the NBA teams playing today take 24-second shotclock and 8-second backcourt violations, Mike Breen's opening commentary in the Knicks-Nets game, Neymar Jr dedicating his goal to #24. And in a classy move, Mark Cuban says it's retiring #24 so that no Maverick will ever wear the number.
Definitely one of the greats to ever play the game; there is something mythical of his mere presence, even off the court. While MJ made NBA basketball a global brand, Kobe made his work ethic an inspiration not only to athletes, but even to ordinary people like us. MambaMentality can be utilised not only in sports but also in one's day to day life, as a blueprint to success. RIP Mamba and Gigi
This is from Los Angeles Times. “It was a sad and surreal scene both in and out of Staples Center on Sunday, where a dress rehearsal for the Grammy Awards was taking place around noon. As word of Bryant’s death swept through the arena, crews worked quickly to move Bryant’s rafter jerseys side by side and masked the other retired jerseys with curtains. By 1 p.m., the switch had been made. No. 8 and No. 24 were side by side, illuminated by floodlights. News of the crash dominated the rehearsal. Ariana Grande had just finished a lavish performance, and Billie Eilish was about to perform an acoustic song with her brother. But all eyes were on the jerseys at the other end of the floor, as staff and observers watched in disbelief.”
Really tragic turn of events. Kobe's talent and influence far exceeded the confines of the basketball court. He has left a void that can never be filled. RIP Kobe and Gianna.
Love him or hate him, if you love basketball, his contribution to the game is undeniable. I've never been shook by people I didn't know personally passing but this news had me shaken. Just goes to show how much impact he had that's far greater than just the game. The basketball universe will never be the same. RIP Mamba.
i never thought I'd shed a tear for the passing of a sports hero; but I did early this am & even until now, I'm actually in mourning; feeling like I lost a dear friend.... I was still awake when TMZ broke the news. i couldn't believe it & I checked out the Lakers Nation forum & Real GM to see if the news was true.. fellow lakers fans (heck all NBA fans) didn't want to believe it until finally, Woj (I guess the most credible news source among NBA fans) confirmed our worst fears.. Kobe's gone. there was even news that all his daughters were with him & Rick Fox as well. then ABC said all his daughters were safe via a tweet.. but then a few minutes later this same tweet was deleted... It turns out he did fly out with one of his daughter's, Gigi, & that she had died with him.. After hearing Gigi's passing as well, that's when I lost it. so cruel a fate.. we were all looking forward to Kobe's second act. (post bball career). he still had so much to give & same for his talented daughter. this year would have been his induction into the basketball Hall of Fame & most likely, the unveiling of his Staples Center statue.. was really looking forward to what he was supposed to say. Now, we can only guess. This is really a sad sad day. RIP #Kobe. Thanks for everything.
New Yorkers honor NBA legend by renaming a subway stop ‘Kobe Bryant Park’ Subway riders found a creative way to pay tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant with a makeshift sign at the Bryant Park subway station. The sign at the 42nd St-Bryant Park Station was plastered with the name “Kobe” over “42nd Street” in order to read: “Kobe Bryant Park.”
We will never get to see and hear him retell his story when he gets inducted to the basketball hall of fame. As it turns out, "Dear Basketball", the Oscar winning short animation film that he produced upon his retirement, was his way of saying goodbye to all of us. Goodbye, Kobe Bryant. Dear Basketball, From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots In the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you. A love so deep I gave you my all — From my mind & body To my spirit & soul. As a six-year-old boy Deeply in love with you I never saw the end of the tunnel. I only saw myself Running out of one. And so I ran. I ran up and down every court After every loose ball for you. You asked for my hustle I gave you my heart Because it came with so much more. I played through the sweat and hurt Not because challenge called me But because YOU called me. I did everything for YOU Because that’s what you do When someone makes you feel as Alive as you’ve made me feel. You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream And I’ll always love you for it. But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding My mind can handle the grind But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye. And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other All that we have. And we both know, no matter what I do next I’ll always be that kid With the rolled up socks Garbage can in the corner :05 seconds on the clock Ball in my hands. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 Love you always, Kobe
Coroner has yet to confirm and identify the bodies. Still expecting and hopeful that Kobe would suddenly surface and surprise us to say that he's still very much alive. #indenial
Only two athletes’ deaths have had this much of an impact on me, those of Ayrton Senna and, today, Kobe Bryant. Ayrton was my idol, Kobe was my sons’. On top of feeling so sad, I also feel fortunate that I was able to take them to watch Kobe play in person. Each time he hit his famous fadeaway jumper, I turned to them and said, “ Beautiful!” Indeed it was. RIP Mamba, and your daughter Gigi, and all your fellow passengers. Thank you for inspiring my sons.
Oh, didn't get to see this. But we did see the Empire State Building lit up in purple and gold last night.
Some pictures for you. According to the Empire State Building's Twitter account, "Our lights will shine in purple and gold this evening as we pay tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, an inspiration to millions across the globe who was taken too soon." . . .
