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Remembering Kobe Bryant’s Legacy
Rest in Peace, Mamba.
Early on January 26th, Los Angeles Laker legend Kobe Bryant was killed along with 8 others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. One of those victims included his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Bryant’s accolades are well known to basketball fans. 5x NBA champion, NBA MVP, 4th all time in points scored, the most badass nickname in sports with “Black Mamba.” He’s the leader in nearly every statistical category for the Los Angeles Lakers, having played there his entire career (1996-2016). Outside of his championship wins, some of his most memorable games include the second highest scoring game by a single player in 2006 with 81 points, and 60 points in his final game makes for one of the most memorable send offs for any player. Not to mention he once ruptured his Achilles and came back in the game to shoot his free throws.
What made Kobe special wasn’t just his accomplishments on the court, but those outside of basketball as well. His patented “Mamba Mentality” has been attributed to an unparalleled focus and drive toward a goal in any facet in life that continues to inspire millions across the globe. When he retired from basketball, he did what no one expected and wrote a poem titled Dear Basketball, which later became an Academy Award winning short film. Bryant also spoke multiple languages fluently (Spanish, Italian, etc.) and would respectfully respond to reporters in each one. He even wanted to start his own “Mamba” shoe brand.
Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa and his three daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
Here are some other testimonials on social media:
Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
A large group of people were gathered outside of the Staples Center to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant. 🙏 #RIPMamba https://t.co/htr0FQ6hgs (Video: NBC 4 Los Angeles, no sound) pic.twitter.com/9H0wVp5F38
— 12 News (@12News) January 27, 2020
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
.@CBSLA has identified all 9 people aboard the helicopter that killed Kobe Bryant & Gianna Bryant, 13
-John Altobelli, wife Keri and daughter Alyssa
-Christina Mauser
-Sarah Chester &daughter Payton Chester
-Ara Zobayan, pilothttps://t.co/0W6MXWZ1n1…/kobe-bryant-crash-who-wa…/ pic.twitter.com/idL1uIxLGQ— Trang Do (@TrangKDo) January 27, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zOpt5A3Nw/
"He meant everything to me, I started basketball because of Kobe Bryant.”@isaiahthomas on Kobe Bryant's mentorship, friendship, and impact. pic.twitter.com/WYKlSPpXQn
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 27, 2020
.@RealMikeWilbon had a heart attack 12 years ago this week.
He tells the story of when Kobe Bryant sent him flowers after he got out of the hospital. pic.twitter.com/iPTUJilDPl
— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2020
Some Kobe Bryant elephant content with his daughter Bianka
🐘🐘🐘 pic.twitter.com/YTmJGoFR26
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 27, 2020
Kobe Bryant saying he didn’t need a son to carry on his basketball legacy because he had his 13yo daughter Gianna ‘Gigi’ Bryant 🥺🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/SUnS9SKiad
— Frances Wang (@FrancesWangTV) January 27, 2020
Play every game like it’s your last.
Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/oH3cHyO2c4
— San Diego State Men's Basketball (@Aztec_MBB) January 27, 2020
If you change something about the way you live your life this week, let it be that you live with a Mamba mentality like Kobe Bryant did. Don’t flinch. Love unflinchingly, win and face all adversity the same way, unflinchingly. pic.twitter.com/I6wmvjcldL
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) January 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/Tinyhoseokk/status/1221641067088445441
Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban issued the following statement on the passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. pic.twitter.com/Ua41YrvTMZ
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) January 27, 2020
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 27, 2020
24 for 24
At the beginning of today's game, we shared a moment with the @Raptors to honor Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/uHdYgUT0Vs
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 27, 2020
Neymar scores a goal and flashes up the No. 24 in respect for Kobe Bryantpic.twitter.com/DOQYAvXfLI
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2020
Tiger Woods hearing about the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/xDI4zEPR3T
— ⚡️𝓓𝓪𝔀𝓼𝓸𝓷⚡️ (@Dawson_STL) January 27, 2020
Damian Lillard memorializes Kobe Bryant after 50 point performance #RipCity pic.twitter.com/WlLx1CKwlM
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 27, 2020
Allen Iverson’s statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/JvMwvcJIac
— Kicks Deals (@KicksDeals) January 27, 2020
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