Even before 25th January 2020 fans and commentators expected Lebron James to surpass Kobe Bryant’s career points of 33,643. Lebron had 18 points to make to replace Kobe on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. As anticipated to a roaring well-entertained audience during the Los Angeles Lakers’ versus Philadelphia 76ers, Lebron took the number 3 spot pushing Kobe to number 4.
After the game, when asked about his feat Lebron said “It’s just too much. It’s too much. The story is too much. It doesn’t make sense. Just to make a long story short, now I’m here in a Lakers uniform, in Philadelphia, where he’s from. The first time I ever met him, gave me his shoes on All-Star Weekend. It’s surreal. It doesn’t make any sense, but the universe just puts things in your life. And I guess when you live in the right way, when you just give it everything to whatever you’re doing, things happen organically.” Paying respectful homage and praise to Kobe, Lebron continued “And it’s not supposed to make sense, but it just happens. And I’m happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. The man has two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center. It’s just crazy.”
Lebron’s accomplishment did not go unnoticed to Kobe. In turn with professionalism and class Kobe celebrated and encouraged Lebron to continue to progress with the tweet, “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames, Much respect my brother.”
Kobe’s legacy is that of a remarkable well-rounded basketball player. He followed in the footsteps of his father former NBA player Joe Bryant. Kobe joined the Lakers right out of high school. He was faithful to the Lakers throughout his career. That team is the only team he ever played for. He spent 20 seasons with the Lakers and is the only player to spend so many seasons with one team. Kobe’s career spanned 20 years, from 1996 to 2016. During his career, he was able to play with Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and Shaquille O’Neal. As an opponent and a great defender, his game pitted him against talented athletes such as Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Kyrie Irving, Michael Jordan, and Paul Pierce.
On his retirement Lakers, retired the Kobe’s jersey numbers 8 and 24, which he wore during his career. Kobe is the only player to have two jersey numbers retired by the Lakers. Kobe’s accolades and accomplishments include 5 NBA championships for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. He won the NBA Finals MVP award twice – in 2009 and then 2010. He is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, which he won with Team USA in 2008 and 2012. He showed his athleticism and talent in various prolific games scoring 81-points in 2006 and 60 points in 2016 on the verge of his retirement. In his 20-year career, he was an NBA all-star participant 18 times. Following his basketball career, he was the recipient of an Academy Award in 2018, for Best Animated Short Film for his film Dear Basketball.
As the celebration of Lebron’s feat was fading coincidently no one knew that the following day tragedy that would send social media, internet websites and news outlets into a frenzied uproar would ensue.
On 26th January 2020, Kobe boarded his favored mode of transportation, a Sikorsky S-76B. For time-saving purposes and to reduce him being in traffic congestion, a helicopter was Kobe’s preferred mode of getting around Los Angeles. During that flight, the Sikorsky S-76B crashed into the side of a mountain in Calabasas. All onboard were presumed dead. Preliminary reports are that foggy weather conditions could have contributed to the crash and also that the pilot may have lost contact with the control tower.
The heartbreaking news quickly flooded and shook the internet with shock. As the sorrowful story unfolded the day became very gloomy. Reports were that 5 persons, including Kobe, allegedly were on board. Then there was confirmation that not 5 but 9 persons were on board. Nine lives lost. To further add hurt to pain Kobe’s daughter, Gianna and two girls her age were with him. Kobe’s wife mourns not just the death of her husband but their daughter too. The dust settled and clarity in the news prevailed. All the other souls who lost their lives were identified.
The victims in the crash are the basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, 41 and his protégé and daughter 13-year-old Gianna Bryant. Kobe and Gianna left to mourn, Vanessa (Kobe’s wife) and Natalia, Bianka and Capri, their daughters and Gianna’s sisters. John Altobelli, Orange Coast College head baseball coach, along with his wife Kerri Altobelli, and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli also died in the crash. Kerri and John Altobelli’s left to bewail their daughter, Alexis and John’s son from his first marriage, John James aka JJ. Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton Chester, are also among the deceased. Both Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s basketball teammates. Girls’ basketball coach at Mamba Sports Academy, Christina Mauser also lost her life. Beavered by her death are her husband and three children. The pilot, Ara Zobayan, sadly also lost his life. This means 5 families are mourning the loss of loved ones. One family (the Altobellis) lost 3 members in the crash. Oh, death where is your sting.
This event is truly an unforeseen tragedy that fell onto all those families. In the blink of an eye, lives were lost, families and friends are in tears, shock and heartbroken. They did not expect this. When they boarded the helicopter, they were on their way to Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks. Kobe built and dedicated the Academy for sports and athletic programs for youths. In various interviews, Kobe expressed that Gianna had a great interest in basketball – a sport that they were bonding over.
Kobe and the other passengers were heading to a Basketball competition. His daughter Gianna, along with her teammates, Alyssa and Payton were scheduled to play. Kobe and Christina Mauser were coaches for the game.
What the next day will bring is not guaranteed. This spells out the importance of making each day count. No, not the “live” for today, you do not know what tomorrow will bring mentality. No, not the live it up ideology and party-hard lifestyle. Rather, make every day as positive and productive as possible. Events that dictate how your life will stop may not be in your control. Therefore, do all you can while you are alive.
Start with love. It is one of the most fascinating and transcending qualities to have. Show love to those in your lives. Shower them with tenderness, affection, and kindness. We all make mistakes at times. So, have a forgiving personality. Grudges could snap progress and way you down. Life is unpredictable. Being forgiving would allow peace to rain in the face of tragedies. Never forget to be thankful. Let the people around you know you are grateful for their presence.
Kobe was not just a legendary basketball player. He also was a businessman, philanthropist, but above all his accomplishments he was a son, husband, father and friend. A tribute is usually given after the death of someone. Incidentally, Lebron was able to show his respect and gratitude for Kobe before his untimely death. On Lebron’s shoe, during the Lakers and 76ers game, he inscribed the words “Mamba 4 Life”. Little did Lebron know that Kobe’s last social media post would have been dedicated to him:
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644 — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
In the wake of the deaths of Kobe, Gianna, John, Kerri, Alyssa, Sarah, Payton, Christina, and Ara, many expressed their hurt, sympathy, and condolences.
“There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother@kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW” —Shaquille O’Neal
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