NBA legend Kobe Bryant passed away this morning in a chopper crash. Not a lot of details at this time.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-reportedly-killed-in-california-helicopter-crash/

Witnesses say that the chopper was on fire before it crashed.  :-\\

HOLY CRAP!!!!  :o :o :o :o



Cat

No, no, NO!!!! Hell no. I just heard the news on radio a few minutes ago. I don't even wanna believe this just happened right now!  :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'(

Kobe Bryant just retired from the NBA 4 years ago (as of this new calendar year that just started). Rest In Peace man.

Words can't describe how devastated am I right now as a big fan of the sport whether it's college football, NFL, NBA, or MLB.

HOLY CRAP!!!!  :o :o :o :o



Cat

My thoughts exactly! :\'( :o :\'( :o

It gets worse. Reports are now coming in that Kobe's 13 year old daughter Gianna was also in the helicopter.  :\'(

I've never really followed sports (and they've never followed me), but I do remember him on an episode of All That.

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This is such a shock. And his daughter, too. No survivors. RIP  :\'(

Both GiGi and Kobe died along with 3 other people. Just senseless. Today is so screwed up.  : :\'( :\'( :\'(

This is so horrible, I can't even believe what I'm seeing.

Oh NOOO!!!  This is so horrible    :\'(  :\'(  :\'(

R.I.P. 

Both shocking and tragic. RIP, Kobe. :\'(

Sad  :\'(

I don't follow sports except tennis but his Turkish airlines TV commercial with Messi was a fixture here in 2013-14. Shocked to say the least as he acted so down-to-earth. :-X A true legend that I think will now come to personify the 2000s and early 2010s.

Pretty sad day for us Basketball fans  :\'( He was one of the best NBA players of all time, played 20 years, won 5 championships.

In the same month that the NBA Commissioner that brought the NBA into the limelight and stardom is today, David Stern, tragically died, another legend has unfortunately passed :\'(.

Kobe Bryant was a GOAT of epic proportions. But most importantly, he was a great father figure. He gave back to the Black community and disenfranchised youth. He always remained humble. He even said when asked about being in the NBA Hall of Fame that he wasn't necessarily eager to be on there. Whatever happens, happens.

That is true humility and respect to an athlete who brought so much invigoration and life to the NBA during his entire career from 1996 to 2016.

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April 14th, 2016: Kobe Bryant's last professional game on the Los Angeles Lakers. His team was down about 30 points around half time, and he was still able to take his team to make a comeback and ultimately win. What a great send off to a great era of basketball that I, and millions others, truly miss. Gone, but never forgotten.

#RIPMAMBA  :\'(.

I don't even know what to say right now. All day, I've been mostly numb. This can't be real. RIP to Kobe, Gianna and the other people that lost their life in the crash :\'(.

#WeLoveYouKobe #MambaForever

Before shooting a ball, think about Kobe first before you mention his first name.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant passed away this morning in a chopper crash. Not a lot of details at this time.

https://nypost.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-reportedly-killed-in-california-helicopter-crash/



I was so shocked to see the news, R.I.P. Kobe Bryant.  :\'(

Final count is nine. No survivors.  :\'(

Edit to add: The pilot has been identified as Ara Zobayan.

https://twitter.com/ChristinaKTLA/status/1221656582083112960

I'm so shocked by this that I feel literally nothing

I'm sad that they are no longer with us. But, I'm happy they are in a better place than Earth. I never cry when people die. Why should I? There's someplace better.  :)

It just hit me how with Kobe wearing #24 jersey in the later half of this career, the year he dies (2020) was going to be 24 years since he got drafted to the Lakers (as a trade from the Hornets). That is so symbolic man, and it doesn't stop there. After LeBron passed Kobe for #3 in all time scoring list, LeBron did this long post game speech about his memories with Kobe throughout his whole life, less than 24 hours before his death! The timing of this was insane.

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It just hit me how with Kobe wearing #24 jersey in the later half of this career, the year he dies (2020) was going to be 24 years since he got drafted to the Lakers (as a trade from the Hornets). That is so symbolic man, and it doesn't stop there. After LeBron passed Kobe for #3 in all time scoring list, LeBron did this long post game speech about his memories with Kobe throughout his whole life, less than 24 hours before his death! The timing of this was insane.



Amazing, I had not realized that!

I had also remembered, last night when they were talking about it all over the news, that he originally wore the number 8 jersey (before later switching to 24). Both #8 and #24 have been retired by the Lakers in his honor.

The 24 jersey was also retired in his honor by the Dallas Mavericks, even though he never played for that team; however, owner Mark Cuban decided to retire it in the wake of Kobe's death.

Amazing, I had not realized that!

I had also remembered, last night when they were talking about it all over the news, that he originally wore the number 8 jersey (before later switching to 24). Both #8 and #24 have been retired by the Lakers in his honor.

The 24 jersey was also retired in his honor by the Dallas Mavericks, even though he never played for that team; however, owner Mark Cuban decided to retire it in the wake of Kobe's death.


They should retire the number 24 from all professional sports.

#24 should be retired league wide. No NBA player of Kobe's magnitude has died so suddenly.

The NBA has awarded the MVP award since 1955 and only 3 NBA MVPs have passed away so far (Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone & now Kobe) :o.

NBA legends usually live long. Seeing Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sending their condolences to Kobe, Gigi and the other victims is surreal. Who would have guessed that Bill Russell & Kareem would outlive Kobe? :\'(

#24 should be retired league wide. No NBA player of Kobe's magnitude has died so suddenly.

The NBA has awarded the MVP award since 1955 and only 3 NBA MVPs have passed away so far (Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone & now Kobe) :o.

NBA legends usually live long. Seeing Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sending their condolences to Kobe, Gigi and the other victims is surreal. Who would have guessed that Bill Russell & Kareem would outlive Kobe? :\'(


Wilt’s jersey should also be retired league-wide. He set all sorts of records both on and off the court.

I keep thinking about this. It makes me sad. :-[

They should retire the number 24 from all professional sports.

I don't know if they should go that far. I mean, certain professional sports have retired a specific number in honor of a player highly regarded in that sport in a specific way. For example, the number 99 was retired by all NHL teams in honor of Wayne Gretzky (who is still with us). And the number 42 was retired by all of MLB in honor of Jackie Robinson.

Now...

#24 should be retired league wide. No NBA player of Kobe's magnitude has died so suddenly.



maybe this might come to fruition someday. (I'd be all for it.)


Edit: I just read on Wiki...
The Dallas Mavericks retired No. 24 on January 26, 2020 following his death, amid persistent calls to retire his number league wide.

So tragic news for a national sporting and well respected hero.  :\'(

Sadly, I hear that the pilot of the helicopter was warned by Air Traffic Control due to visibility difficulties.  :\'( :\'( :\'(

Sadly, I hear that the pilot of the helicopter was warned by Air Traffic Control due to visibility difficulties.  :\'( :\'( :\'(


If there's fog, stay out of it.

If there's fog, stay out of it.

Precisely!! They shouldn't have gone up in the air in the fog in the first place.

In fact, fog was all over So-Cal that morning.

Precisely!! They shouldn't have gone up in the air in the fog in the first place.

In fact, fog was all over So-Cal that morning.

Apparently, the pilot was trying to climb up higher altitude to avoid a cloud layer before crashing. But yeah, I wished Kobe and everyone else took a limo.  :\'(

Apparently, the pilot was trying to climb up higher altitude to avoid a cloud layer before crashing. But yeah, I wished Kobe and everyone else took a limo.  :\'(


That would've been a safe bet in my opinion.

Precisely!! They shouldn't have gone up in the air in the fog in the first place.

In fact, fog was all over So-Cal that morning.



Apparently, the pilot was trying to climb up higher altitude to avoid a cloud layer before crashing. But yeah, I wished Kobe and everyone else took a limo.  :\'(



That would've been a safe bet in my opinion.

The thing is that Kobe frequently flies in a helicopter. He's been doing it since his playing career. He said in an interview that the reason why he flies in helicopters so much was to avoid the traffic in LA.

I'm not from Los Angeles but the traffic is notoriously bad there. LA is poorly designed (it was designed to be a "car friendly" city) and the public transportation system in LA is below average.

The thing is that Kobe frequently flies in a helicopter. He's been doing it since his playing career. He said in an interview that the reason why he flies in helicopters so much was to avoid the traffic in LA.

I'm not from Los Angeles but the traffic is notoriously bad there. LA is poorly designed (it was designed to be a "car friendly" city) and the public transportation system in LA is below average.


That's the way I feel about Atlanta traffic. The downtown connector in Atlanta (known as I-75 and I-85 merging together) is awful 24/7. Especially during the mornings and evenings. Then I-285, the Atlanta Bypass loop, is a complete disaster with the way the roads are built and I-285 is one of the most dangerous interstates nationwide. All the big trucks have to take 285 and aren't allowed to take the downtown connector which makes things more complicated. Anyway, from what I've heard about LA traffic, it's the only traffic that might be worse than Atlanta traffic.

That's the way I feel about Atlanta traffic. The downtown connector in Atlanta (known as I-75 and I-85 merging together) is awful 24/7. Especially during the mornings and evenings. Then I-285, the Atlanta Bypass loop, is a complete disaster with the way the roads are built and I-285 is one of the most dangerous interstates nationwide. All the big trucks have to take 285 and aren't allowed to take the downtown connector which makes things more complicated. Anyway, from what I've heard about LA traffic, it's the only traffic that might be worse than Atlanta traffic.

I see what you mean. This was thanksgiving in LA almost two years ago. Total gridlock near LAX.
https://image.businessinsider.com/5bf58df30d7c6723293715b0?width=1100&format=jpeg&auto=webp
But the crash happened on a Sunday morning, so traffic wouldn't presumably be that bad. And it was foggy out. Too bad that all we can do is suggest hypotheticals when they won't do anything.

The thing is that Kobe frequently flies in a helicopter. He's been doing it since his playing career. He said in an interview that the reason why he flies in helicopters so much was to avoid the traffic in LA.

I can understand that, but if the air is foggy, that should be a deterrent, because the visibility is reduced greatly.



I'm not from Los Angeles but the traffic is notoriously bad there. LA is poorly designed (it was designed to be a "car friendly" city) and the public transportation system in LA is below average.

Yes, the traffic can be like that (which I know from having lived in the general area all my life)... but on a Sunday morning it is often less hectic than it would be on a weekday morning.

As for the public transportation system, I know all about it from having used it for a number of years (mainly in the 90s and 2000s), and it has been expanding in recent years to outlying areas.

Helicopter travel is considerably less safe than car travel. And according to the below article from Slate Mag, private helicopters have an accident rate 18 times that of commercial helicopter taxis.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2011/06/are-helicopters-safer-than-cars.html

Yeah, it's just sad all around. This tragedy was easily avoidable and all 9 lives should still be here.

Yes this is very sad.................

Kobe's widow Vanessa posted a heartbreaking yet uplifting message from her ig: https://www.instagram.com/p/B77K8XWDY7O

This is still stunning to me!! :\'( :\'( :\'(  his memorial service will be held next week i think!

This is still stunning to me!! :\'( :\'( :\'(  his memorial service will be held next week i think!

No, on February 24th (2/24). Gigi and Kobe's numbers were 2 and 24 :\'(.

Yeah, it still doesn't feel real. I try not to think about it much. I can't imagine how Vanessa & Natalia Bryant are feeling. Along with the family and friends of the other people that died :\'(.

No, on February 24th (2/24). Gigi and Kobe's numbers were 2 and 24 :\'(.

Yeah, it still doesn't feel real. I try not to think about it much. I can't imagine how Vanessa & Natalia Bryant are feeling. Along with the family and friends of the other people that died :\'(.

Now my kids won't expierence one of my childhood icons as an older guy.... so INCREDIBLY SAD!!!

Gayle King apparently is in hot water after bringing up Kobe’s rape accusations from 17 years ago, in context, in a TV interview.

I wonder if people will be as irate if she mentions the O.J. Simpson Murder case when OJ eventually expires? ???

Did anybody here watch the Kobe Bryant tribute show? ???

Did anybody here watch the Kobe Bryant tribute show? ???

No, but I did know that there was a special memorial service for him and his daughter yesterday at Staples' Center in downtown Los Angeles. Only people who received tickets for it could attend. But it was shown on TV (I think).

Did anybody here watch the Kobe Bryant tribute show? ???

No, but I did know that there was a special memorial service for him and his daughter yesterday at Staples' Center in downtown Los Angeles. Only people who received tickets for it could attend. But it was shown on TV (I think).
Any footage on YouTube?

Did anybody here watch the Kobe Bryant tribute show? ???


I watched a little bit when Vanessa made her sad speech.

Did anybody here watch the Kobe Bryant tribute show? ???

I did. It was very powerful and of course sad. MJ and Shaq brought some much needed humor though.

Vanessa Bryant is an incredibly strong woman. I don't know how she was able to go up there and give that speech. If I lost my wife and one of my children at the same time, I would be distraught and probably couldn't give a speech at their funeral/memorial.

Once again,  RIP to Kobe, Gigi and the 7 others who were lost.

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay nearly $29m (£24m) to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's widow after police shared graphic images of his fatal helicopter crash two years ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64806905

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay nearly $29m (£24m) to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's widow after police shared graphic images of his fatal helicopter crash two years ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64806905


Ridiculous.

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay nearly $29m (£24m) to NBA superstar Kobe Bryant's widow after police shared graphic images of his fatal helicopter crash two years ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64806905

Why so much?

Why so much?
She said the $28,850,000 settlement included the $16m awarded by a federal jury in August 2022 to Mrs Bryant in her invasion of privacy lawsuit against Los Angeles County.