Kobe Bryant: One death that shook the globe

LAGOS, Nigeria – Sunday, January 26, 2020 remains a very dark day in the world of basketball, seen not only as the greatest crowd puller in American history, but also the sport that holds the soul of America.   

It was the day, one of America’s  greatest heroes and one of the world’s most celebrated basketball player,  Kobe Bryant died – It was a most horrifying death. it was one death which could have been avoided. 

Kobe Bryant, who played for the Lakers for over  two decades in the National Basketball Association(NBA) died with his13-year-old daughter, Gianna and 7 others.  He was 41. The helicopter was headed to an AAU game when it crashed, killing all on board. 

According to reports, the helicopter’s flight path shows it was travelling from the Orange County to the San Fernando Valley and then hovering over the Glendale area as it waited for clearance to travel through the Valley to Calabasas. 

Kobe Bryant, the18-time member of the NBA All-Star  team, 15 time member of All NBA team and 12 time member of All Defensive team, won five NBA championships. He was also the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008  and went ahead to become one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career, all with the Lakers.  

Bryant retired as the Lakers’ franchise leader in points, games played, 3-pointers,  33,643 points, all scored in the Lakers purple and gold.

The helicopter, conveying him crashed in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest,  Los Angeles, killing him and his lovely daughter on the spot.

Kobe Bryant, according to AP, often flies helicopter to evade the nauseating traffic gridlock  when going for practice for NBA games before he retired in 2016.

“He continued to use them(helicopters) after retirement as he attended to his new ventures, which included a burgeoning entertainment company that recently produced an Academy Award-winning animated short film”, AP reported.

Database of helicopter and manifest

The Ill-fated  helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76B was built in 1991 and registered to Island Express Holding Corp, Federal Aviation Administration has said.  On board were 1.Kobe Bryant, his daughter, 2. Gianna Bryant, 3.John Altobelli, his daughter, 4. Alyssa Altobelli, Wife 5.Keri Altobelli, the pilot, 6.Ara Zobayan,  7. Sarah Chester and daughter, 8. Payton Chester and Christina Mauser.

Tributes

Born in Philadelphia August 23, 1978, Kobe Bryant remains a force to be reckoned with in the NBA and basketball history all over the world. He and his wife, Vanessa, had four daughters.

Reacting to his demise, Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva  said, “It’s a logistical nightmare in a sense because the crash site itself is not easily accessible.” 

President of the United States, Donald Trump described Kobe Bryant as a great basketball player who has just started his life.

“Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. 

“The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating. Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!”, he said. 

For Dr. Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant  was much more than an athlete. He called on everyone to keep Kobe in prayers.

“Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. We love our families. Whenever we got together I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. 

“His baby girl Gianna was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. I miss you already brother. This is truly unbelievable.  Everyone please keep the Bryant’s in your prayers. R.I.P”, he said.

Jerry Colangelo, his former teammate in Lakers reflects on his thoughts: 

“I remember one thing he said: If you want to be great at it, or want to be one of the greats, you’ve got to put the work in,” he said.

Make Kobe NBA Logo

However, an NBA buff who identified himself as Hoopssupply said Kobe Bryant should now be the logo of the NBA, describing him as a legend. 

“I’m being so serious when I say this. They should make Kobe the NBA logo. What he did for the game, the impact he left on all of us on and off the court, it’s the stuff of legends. This is the saddest day imaginable”, he said.

For former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Atiku Abubakar,  Kobe Bryant redefined the game of basketball for all of us. 

Kobe Bryant joined Lakers  at the age of 17. He became one of the most exciting and intriguing players in basketball alongside O’Neal, who had signed with the Lakers as a free agent. 

Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, and the Lakers gradually grew into a team that won three consecutive championships.

Bryant and Gasol, the Spanish star according to NBA, formed the nucleus of another championship team in 2008, reaching three straight NBA Finals and winning two more titles.  

Kobe Bryant accomplished  feats including an 81-point game against Toronto in January 2006. 

“Bryant’s final NBA seasons were dogged by injuries, but he still went into retirement with that jaw-dropping 60-point performance against Utah”, the NBA said in its tribute.