We are four days removed from the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. The 41 year old NBA legend tragically died on January 26, 2020 after a helicopter accident alongside his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant age 13. Their untimely death has shaken up the world as numerous tweets and stories have poured the internet landscape with tributes, and condolences to the Bryant family.
A Legendary Legacy
Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, the son of former NBA star Joe Bryant. He attended Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, during his time in school he was recognized as the top high-school basketball player in the country. After graduation, he was declared for the 1996 NBA draft and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick.
Bryant was soon traded to the Lakers where he played his entire 20-season professional career as shooting guard. As a rookie, Bryant became famous as a high-flyer leading to his 1997 Slam Dunk Contest victory, and he was named an All-Star by his second season. Kobe Bryant alongside his teammate Shaquille O’Neal worked together to lead the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000-2002.
Bryant led the NBA in scoring during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 season. In 2006, Bryant scores a career-high 81 points, the second-most points scored in a single game in league history (behind Wilt Chamberlain). Bryant led the team to two consecutive championships in 2009-2010 and was named NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. Bryant was the first guard in NBA history to play 20 seasons. He was also awarded All-Star MVP. His amazing talent also earned him two gold medals as a member of the U.S national team at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics games. Outside of the NBA, Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his short film, Dear Basketball.
At age 34 Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in 2013. Despite being able to recover, he would soon suffer season-ending injuries to his knees and shoulder. Bryant would officially retire after the 2015-16 season.
Family Life
Kobe Bryant married his longtime girlfriend Vanessa in 2001. The pair would have four daughters Gianna Maria- Onore Bryant, Natalia Diamante Bryant, Bianka Bella Bryant, and Capri Kobe Bryant. Tragically Gianna Maria- Onore Bryant also passed away alongside her father.
Honoring the Legend
Following Kobe Bryant’s death, the NBA legend was quickly honored during the GRAMMY award, and The WWE PPV Royal Rumble both events aired the same day as the tragedy. Many news networks also showed their respects toward the legend. Social Media was also filled with many fans also paying tribute. His long time friend Shaquille O’Neal was heavily affected by his sudden death, “I haven’t felt a pain that sharp in a while,” O’Neal said during a TNT tribute to Bryant on the Staples Center floor, where he was joined by Dwyane Wade, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, Reggie Miller and Jerry West. O’Neal continued:
“We, our names will be attached together for what we did. People always ask about our relationship, and I tell them it’s just like me and Charles [Barkley]. You got two strong-minded people that are going to get it done that way … going to say certain things, but the respect will never be lost, but when it comes to being inside the lines and winning, that is what me and him, that is what we did.”
The long-running NBA 2k franchise honored Bryant with a loading screen Memorium.
RIP to a Legend. Thank you for your many contributions on and off the court. You are greatly missed pic.twitter.com/XesYS63Uhp — NBA 2K (@NBA2K) January 26, 2020
The tragedy of Kobe Bryant’s untimely death has had a massive impact throughout all media. His career will go down as one of the greatest of all time. However, it isn’t just his career that made Bryant such an icon. He was the official ambassador for After-School All-Star (ASAS), an American non-profit organization that provides comprehensive after-school programs to children in thirteen US cities. Bryant and wife also founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF). In order to assist the homeless. Above all Kobe Bryant will be remembered as a family man and a proud father.
We all here in the Sloppy Vinyl family also wish to send our best wishes.
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