World Mourns the Death of Kobe Bryant; One of the Best Players in NBA Basketball’s History
He died in a helicopter crash on Sunday and unfortunately his daughter Gianna was accompanying him. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter which was owned by Kobe crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California before catching fire.
The news of the passing away of famous basketball player Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash has taken the world of sports by storm.
He died in a helicopter crash on Sunday and unfortunately his daughter Gianna was accompanying him. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter which was owned by Kobe crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California before catching fire.
Besides Kobe and Gianna, another parent and a team-mate from Gianna’s travel sports team were victims of the fateful crash which makes the total count of victims to nine.
The Grammy Awards took the initiative to honor the legend on Sunday evening. Singer Lizzo dedicated the night to him before opening the show while Alicia Keys went ahead sang a song in honor of him. She said, “We're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”
His achievements in the world of basketball are so massive that writing will not suffice his long list of credentials. He was fierce and dominating on the court. As soon as Kobe finished high school in 1996 he entered the competitive world of NBA and then there was no turning back. He played relentlessly for the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships.
His skills in the sport made an impact right from the start. In his 20-year long career span, he won two gold medals in the Olympics, two NBA Finals MVP and a regular-season MVP in 2008.
He was the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 sessions. In 2006 he scored a career-high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-most points scored in a single game in league history. His unmatched skills on the court earned him the title the “Mamba Mentality.”
Controversies
Although the NBA champion savoured a successful career, his life was not bereft of controversies. He was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year hotel employee in Colorado.
He admitted that the meet was consensual and the charges were dropped against him when his accuser refused to testify. The case was settled out of court with the player issuing an apology but admitting no guilt. This case didn’t seem to tarnish his image whatsoever.
Bryant wrote a poem after he announced his retirement in 2015. The poem was later converted into a short film that went on to win an Academy Award.
The legend suffered from a torn Achilles tendon at the age of 34. The season-ending injuries led to a physical decline which coerced him to retire after the 2015-16 season.
Going forward he became a successful businessman and an investor while endorsing various brands. His long-standing relationship with Nike which he signed in 2003 is one to be remembered.
Kobe's two retired basketball jerseys were illuminated at in Staples Center, home of the lakers. Without a doubt, the legend’s name will remain synonymous with Basketball. The “Mamba” will continue to remain the fiercest basketball player NBA and the world of sport has ever known.