Missing Kobe

 Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, along with seven others perished in a fatal helicopter crash earlier this month. The news was shocking and many still are having difficulty accepting it.

The eight passengers and pilot were supposed to take a quick flight to  Gianna’s basketball tournament. California had heavy fog at the time of the tragedy and it is believed weather conditions played a role in causing the helicopter to crash into the hills of Calabasas, California, The helicopter missed getting over the mountain by a couple of dozen yards.

On the helicopter along with Mr. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, was a well-known baseball coach, John Altobelli his wife, Keri Sanders, with their 13-year-old daughter Alyssa.  Other victims include Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton, also 13-years-old. Mamba Academy basketball coach Christina Mauser and the pilot, Ara Zobayan also died. The devastating event shook millions around the world. Kobe was loved beyond the U. S. and he had a worldwide following. In his life past the NBA, Kobe served as inspiration and leader to many people and Gianna was thought by many to be a star someday in college and the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Kobe’s is a legend that will be remembered forever. Even for those who weren’t Lakers fans, it affected everyone not only fans, but players from the NBA, NFL, & even MLS. On the Sunday that he diedNFL players did something in remembrance of Kobe. During the 2020 Pro Bowl some of the players after making a great play did a little dance to remember Kobe, they did a step, step, step back, and fade away; right in the middle of the field. In the NLS, Neymar paid respects to Bryant after scoring his second goal for the Brazilian. Also honoring  Kobe Bryant was the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors who each opened the game together by letting the 24-second shot clock expired.

Bryant will always be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His killer instinct and unapparelled talent will always be admired. Among his many accomplishments were:

-Spent 20 seasons in the NBA, all with the Lakers

-Was the fourth leading scorer in NBA history (33,643 points)

-Five-time NBA Champion and twice named finals MVP

-18-time All-star

-2 time Olympic Medalist

-Youngest player in NBA history at the time of his debut in 1996

 

It is devastating to hear how this happened and to hear how his daughter was with him. He left behind his wife along with his three other daughters Natalia, Bianka, & Capri. Vanessa Bryant would later post  on her Instagram, “But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way.’’  

 All around the world people will forever remember the Legend Kobe Bryant and the others who died tragically with such bright futures ahead of them.

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