Five years ago on Sunday, the world of basketball lost a giant. On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven other people died in a tragic helicopter accident near Los Angeles.
Kobe Bryant, who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, has had an indelible impact on his team and the region throughout his life. Bryant, 18 times All-Star, led the team at five NBA championships in 10 years, winning the NBA MVP title in 2008. His “Mamba mentality” is referenced by male and female basketball players and female female All levels, which endeavor to reach the motivated state of mind of the deceased guard.
The Lakers paid tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant on Sunday.
The impact of Bryant was not felt only by the Lakers, he repercussions throughout the NBA. The Golden State Warriors paid their own tribute to the Grands Lakers on Sunday.
The NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke more of the generalized impact of Bryant in a press release published on Sunday.
“Kobe Bryant continues to serve as inspiration for current players and grass from the NBA and the WNBA, young athletes evolving at all levels and those who are motivated only by his incessant quest for excellence,” said Silver. “Our thoughts today go to Vanessa and the Bryant family when we remember Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, with whom he shared a special bond around a deep love for basketball.”
Kobe and Gianna Bryant were not the only victims of the crash. The players’ platform tried to honor the nine victims: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan.
Among other things, we remember Kobe Bryant as a women’s basketball champion. He was known to attend women’s basketball matches, both academics and WNBA, with his daughter Gianna. Kobe was involved in the Gianna basketball career and led to his youth team. Gianna planned to play for the Uconn Huskies when she reached the university, the WNBA can possibly follow.
After the tragedy, the WNBA honored the three young players – Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester – as honorary recruits of the 2020 draft. Sunday, the League reiterated this honor.
Several WNBA players participating in the UNRIVALED 3 League against 3 spoke to the Associated Press of the impact that Kobe Bryant had on them and their sport. UNRIVALED, which is currently in its inaugural season, is an ambitious intersane league launched by the stars of the WNBA Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
“We are continuing this for him,” said Dallas Wings Sutou Sabonde striker, who plays for the Phantom in UniValed, at the Associated Press. “He would be so proud of this league. He would be proud of “Phee and Stewie”. I know that he looks down and I hope he smiles and he is proud of us.
The old chicago Sky chicago coach, Teresa Weathrspoon, which leads to the UNIVALED VINYL BC team, also spoke of the influence of Kobe BRIDER on women’s football.
“I think a lot of people started following Kobe because he recognized our gift and our talent and how special,” Weatherspoon told the Associated Press. “And her daughter was there too.”
Beyond women’s sport, Bryant was also a long-standing fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and a fan of several European football teams. One of these teams, AC Milan, commemorated the late guardian on social networks.
To illustrate the impact of Bryant beyond basketball, the quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Russell Wilson, published a photo of Kobe and Gianna, paying tribute to this tragic anniversary.
Although on Sunday has marked a difficult birthday, the world of basketball has thought about Bryant’s heritage in the past five years. Several NBA stars spoke with Yahoo Sports last year about the impact of Black Mamba, before the fourth anniversary of the death of the Lakers star.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo told Yahoo Sports that Bryant had challenged her to become MVP of the League. The Greek striker then won this honor twice, consecutively in 2019 and 2020, and credited the Mamba mentality as an element of his success.
“It just made me believe that a guy like him could believe that I could compete in the title of MVP,” antetokoun told Yahoo Sports. “I was amazed. I worked extremely hard, I have always worked hard, but it was an additional motivation. Because it was someone I admired. I have always played with a chip on my shoulder, as if the world was against me.
“He was unique, there was no one else like him. Many guys want to play like him, but there will never be any other Kobe, “said Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards at Yahoo Sports. “But I am happy to be in the same position as him, because for me, he is the second best shooter of all time, behind Mike. It’s great to be in this tree in quotes.
Edwards was drafted by the Timberwolves less than a year after the death of Bryant. The young minnesota star told Yahoo Sports that he would have loved the late guard to be a mentor.
“I would have liked him to be a mentor for me,” said Edwards. “It was for many people who play today. But unfortunately, things happen.