Some things transcend rivalries & the news tonight is one of those.
Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players to ever step onto a basketball court.
The Mamba Legacy
Taken in the 1996 NBA draft 1st Round as the 13th overall pick his playing career from 1996–2016 as a shooting guard for the LA Lakers was immense. Just look at his career history:
5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
2× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2001)
2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011)
3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2012)
2× NBA scoring champion (2006, 2007)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
Nos. 8 & 24 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996)
First-team Parade All-American (1996)
Up until last night Kobe was third in all time NBA career scoring list with 33,643 (25.0 ppg), along with 7,047 rebounds (5.2 rpg) & 6,306 assists (4.7 apg).
Besides his NBA accolades he was also a double Olympic gold medal winner from 2008 & 2012 with Team USA.
Heartbreaking
The news is only made worse by the heartbreaking news that Kobe’s 13 year old daughter Gianna was also onboard the helicopter, which crashed in Calabasas in fog. All 9 passengers have lost their lives.
Today basketball has lost a legend. Along with every other basketball fan the Orlando Magic UK are numbed with shock & saddened by the loss of the Mamba.
Thoughts & prayers are with his & all the victims families.
#RIPKobeBryant #RIPLegend #RIPMamba
