Kobe Bryant

[TheTwoWallaces]

I don't know who has heard yet, but it appears that Kobe may have perished in a helicopter crash.

Unreal.

Here's a thread for people to talk about one of the all time NBA greats.

[wms02a]

Wow I saw this thread and assumed it had to do w Lebron passing him but just got the alert on my phone... wow

[Marcos_Beck]

Man...
It's unbelievable.
I'm no Lakers fan but Kobe was a real joy to watch.
He played like an All-Time great and his off the court behaviour was extraordinary.

RIP one of the greatest ever

[cb4raptorscb4]

Extremely sad. His daughter was also with him. RIP to both of them

[emplep7]

Yeah it’s terrible and tragic. Nothing much more to say, but he transformed the game.

[Flaming Homer]

RIP ... you were the GOAT for me!

[KW]

unbelievable tragedy. tough to process

[Stockton12]

Sad day for basketball even thou I don’t like the lakers and wasn’t a Kobe fan it’s a huge loss

[hardenwithnod]

I still can’t process this whole situation, this still feels unreal to me. Dude inspired so many people throughout the world. We lost an absolute legend today, and it’s super tragic that we lost 8 other people who are probably heroes to someone else too.

[Marcos_Beck]

I still can’t process this whole situation, this still feels unreal to me. Dude inspired so many people throughout the world. We lost an absolute legend today, and it’s super tragic that there’s 8 others who are probably heroes to someone else too.

Well said, Gary.

[blackice]

RIP to a legend, what a sad sad day.

[GreenBear]

Man...
It's unbelievable.
I'm no Lakers fan but Kobe was a real joy to watch.
He played like an All-Time great and his off the court behaviour was extraordinary.

RIP one of the greatest ever

He was a tremendous basketball player. An all-time great like you said. But I would be careful lauding him off the court. I have no doubt he did a lot of good through donations (both time and money), inspiring people/kids, etc. I know he helped a lot of people. But he is also tied to a very heinous crime that gets ignored and glossed over by the general public for reasons that continue to befuddle me. He gave one of the biggest public non-admission admission apologies to the woman and her family that I've ever heard. And I'll leave it at that because the point of this isn't to create a giant debate/discussion or anything. I would just be careful is all.

[drumr]

I still can’t process this whole situation, this still feels unreal to me. Dude inspired so many people throughout the world. We lost an absolute legend today, and it’s super tragic that there’s 8 others who are probably heroes to someone else too.

Well said...RIP

[andrei]

wow, I was passing by a TV screen in Dublin airport and briefly saw Kobe's picture - totally ignored it but thought - why would his pic be on the news in Dublin... then, in the plane, somebody showed me an article - I could not believe it. Shocking news and also there were other people in that helicopter including his young daughter...

While never a huge fan, I always admired Kobe as one of the greatest ever, and followed him and Lakers since he was an 18 year old in a Dunk contest. RIP

[Myles]

Bad actions do not negate the good caused by good actions, and good actions do not negate the bad caused by bad actions. The lives we all lead contain both, and neither should be overshadowed by the other.

Today we lost someone who has done both good and bad in the very public eye, and those who are grieving will want to use this time to remember and celebrate the good, as we do whenever any person passes away.

It cannot be denied that Kobe horrifically, negatively impacted a poor young woman’s life and those around her, just like it cannot be denied the millions of people that Kobe inspired to always strive to be better. Right now, some of us need to focus on the latter. We need to remember how it was him that helped us fall in love with basketball, to fight through adversity, to not allow obstacles to get in our way, and that virtually anything is possible if you work hard enough.

RIP Kobe Bean Bryant. He was a huge inspiration to me and is definitely a big reason why I love basketball as much as I do today.

[Dennis]

I still can’t process this whole situation, this still feels unreal to me. Dude inspired so many people throughout the world. We lost an absolute legend today, and it’s super tragic that there’s 8 others who are probably heroes to someone else too.

Great words, Gary!
Sucks even more to hear that his kid appears to have to be on that flight too.

Thought/hoped that report wasn’t correct.

[Rizzo]

I was too young to really enjoy MJ’s career, but grew up watching Kobe’s entire 20-years if NBA life. He was my MJ and nobody in the league has ever - and will ever - have the kind draw to me that Kobe did. I remember countless nights in high school and college staying up wayyyy later than I should have because I had to watch him play. He was must-see entertainment every time he took the floor and I wasn’t about to miss any of it.

While he does have a rather large blemish on his personal life, the international effect he has had on millions cannot he understated. I’m not sure there’s an American athlete that is as cultured and worldly with the type of fame that Kobe has.

As a Celtics fan, I know that guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown grew up idolizing Kobe as their MJ. I’m sure that same story goes for many of the young talents in the NBA today. This tragedy will have ripple effects across the world for sure.

What hurts me the most is the passing of his daughter with him. As a father of a 13-month old girl, I can’t even bring myself to thinking about a situation like that. My heart goes out to the Bryant family - as well as to all the families of the victims of the crash - because like others have said in this thread they are all heroes to their own friends and families in some way.

R.I.P. to one of the greatest to ever grace the basketball court.

[cb4raptorscb4]

Man, still can't believe this. This morning I hugged my daughter for longer than usual and starting getting teary eyed, just thinking about Kobe, Gianna, and the rest of his family. Horrible tragedies like this really put life into perspective and we need to cherish every day we have on this planet. It's unfortunate that sometimes things like this are the reason for reflection.

RIP Kobe, Gianna, and the 7 others that passed away in the crash.

[Myles]

I just donated $24.08 to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. Felt like the right thing to do.

http://kvbff.org/getinvolved/

[Flaming Homer]

Thumbs up

Man, I avoid all sports media these day's. Don't wanna be remembered every 5 minutes ...