The news of Kobe Bryant’s death continues to shock not only the National Basketball Association but the sports world generally.
Athletes from New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady to boxing legend Tyson shared their reactions to Bryant’s passing on social media, joining many that were completely stunned and saddened by the passing of 1 of the world’s most celebrated athletes.
Bryant was confirmed dead after a helicopter carrying the previous l. a. Lakers legend, his daughter Gianna, and 7 other passengers crashed around 10 a.m. Sunday morning in Calabasas, near l. a. , consistent with the l. a. County Sheriff’s Department. Bryant was 41.
“The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said during a statement. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what's possible when remarkable talent blends with absolute devotion to winning. He was one among the foremost extraordinary players within the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.
“But he is going to be remembered most for uplifting people around the world to select up a basketball and compete to the absolute best of their ability,” Silver’s statement continued. “He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special enjoyment of passing down his love of the sport to Gianna. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization, and therefore the entire sports world.”Bryant, who played all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers, shared his last social media message via Twitter when he congratulated current Lakers superstar LeBron James for passing him on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. With 33,655 career points, James moved past Bryant (33,643) to put third.
A well-known mentor of Bryant’s, NBA legend and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, labeled Bryant “a little brother” after learning of his death.
“We wont to talk often, and that I will miss those conversations considerably,” Jordan said during a statement. “He was a fierce competitor, one among the greats of the sport and an ingenious force. Kobe was also a tremendous dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the sport of basketball.”
As the world learned of Bryant’s death, some teams honored him during early afternoon NBA games. The San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors each used their first possessions to purposely violate the 24-second shot clock as a tribute to Bryant, who wore No. 24 from 2007-2016, after switching over from the No. 8, which he wore since being drafted 13th overall by the Lakers in 1996.
“We all feel a deep sense of loss for what he meant to all or any folks in numerous ways,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters following Sunday’s contest. “So many many people loved him for therefore many various reasons. It’s just a tragic thing; there are not any words that will describe how everybody feels about it. We all believe the family and therefore the process that they're getting to be browsing now. That’s where all of our thoughts should be.”
The son of former NBA star Joe Bryant, Kobe’s death comes days after his 14th anniversary of becoming the closest player to end a game scoring near Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 100 points during a single game. Bryant scored 81 points back on Jan. 22, 2006, finishing the sport 28-of-46 shooting from the sector. therein the same outing, Bryant also surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s 78-point game set back in December 1961.
For his career, Bryant, who retired in 2016, played 48,637 minutes (the eighth-most in NBA history) and appeared in 1,346 games (ranking him at 15th) during a career most certainly headed for enshrinement within the Hall of Fame.
But the maximum amount as Bryant meant to the NBA, his legacy is additionally cemented and well respected in Lower Merion, a little suburb outside of Philadelphia where he attended high school.
Bryant dominated as a highschool basketeer, finishing his career because of the Aces’ all-time leading scorer with 2,883 points. Following his playing days within the area referred to as the most Line, the varsity named its gymnasium after Bryant in December 2010.
“That’s obviously where playing within the NBA quite became a sensible goal,” Bryant told ESPN in 2010. “I put tons of labor in, tons of hours therein gym.”
Bryant’s high school coach Gregg Downer, who coached him from 1992 to 1996, couldn't be reached for comment but issued a quote that said: “Aces Nation has lost its heartbeat.”
Bryant also led the Aces to a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AAAA State Championship in 1996.
“The entire Lower Merion administrative district community sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Bryant’s family,” the Lower Merion administrative district said during a statement. “Our basketball teams will little question pay tribute to Mr. Bryant as this season continues, but at this point, as a neighborhood, we'll consider supporting those in our community – including Coach Downer and English teacher Jeanne Mastriano – whom Mr. Bryant credited for sparking his love of writing.”
Asked what Bryant meant to him growing up playing basketball, current Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum said, “Outside of my brother and father, Kobe was it. Loved his work ethic, his story, his approach to the sport, and his tenacity.”
Billionaire Mark Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks, issued a press release praising the person who called himself the “Black Mamba,” saying Bryant was an “ambassador for our game, a decorated legend, and a worldwide icon.” Cuban went on to feature the team will officially retire the No. 24 in honor of Bryant.
“He was the closest player ever to mimic MJ,” NBA agent Cervando Tejeda of Athlete Sports Management told CNBC. “He kept the drive and toughness within the game; the assumption that if you're employed hard, success will come. He meant tons to the planet. Today may be a sad day; today should forever be named ‘Mamba Day.’”
0 Comments
Lets play.