Kobe RIP - OT

[Stache]

Tragic news of Kobe passing in helicopter crash. He was so young with so much to offer. Shocking.

[RenoZag]

RIP Kobe Bryant

Age 41. Killed in a helicopter crash this morning.

[RenoZag]

ESPN Story: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...licopter-crash

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is among five people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, a source confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The crash comes one day after Bryant was passed by Lakers forward LeBron James for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. As late as 10:39 p.m. ET on Saturday night, Bryant was active on social media, congratulating Bryant on Twitter during the Lakers 108-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

[Ezag]

Huge loss. Amazing player, too young!

[StatZag19]

Second* (not oldest) daughter also in helicopter.

RIP Mamba & GiGi

[ZagMan in Philly]

Heart Breaking news.

[RenoZag]

When the Zags made the Final Four, Kobe made an appearance at a film session. John Blanchette's story:

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/mar/30/kobe-bryant-surprise-appearance-thrills-gonzaga-pl/

[ZagsObserver]

Terrible news. I liked him even better following basketball. Flew his daughter to little ‘ol Cashmere, Washington (1A) school to watch Van Lith play and support her about a month ago. Wanted no attention - it was a tight secret until people saw him in the tiny gym for tip-off. He talked to the team afterwards. Both him and his daughter were lost in the crash. Condolences.

[DZ]

Like many athletes, Kobe entered as a brash world-beater at 18 years old, and mastered both the game and being a good person, retired as someone pretty well everyone loved.

Really a gut punch, loss of the daughter makes it that much sadder.

[Mantua]

Brandon Clarke is playing today. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for the players. This is a tough one to bear.

[Malastein]

There’s going to be a GIANT shadow towering above this Tuesday’s Clippers and Lakers game. Thousands will cry as the Lakers have their first home game since his death. He was beyond loved and even deified in life. He played 57,278 minutes for the Lakers. Competed as hard as anyone ever has, and this competitive spirit is what we love and celebrate most in sports.

You see these figures so often that it is almost impossible not to think that they’ll remain in the spot light for years after they stop their playing careers. When they achieve the height of greatness that a player like Kobe Bryant did, they take on an air of invincibility. This morning, I thought that Kobe couldn’t be dead. He was too great to die this young. He had transitioned well into a fatherhood-focused, post playing career life. He had become a mentor for the game’s great young talent.

I didn’t know that someone dying tragically would touch me this much today. I rooted both for and against him. At the end of his career, I wish he had stayed healthy enough to gun for the most points scored by any NBA player, even if the Lakers weren’t relevant. Instead, I have a giant feeling of empathy for all his most ardent fans, but even more so for the parents who lost a son and a grandchild as well as the wife who lost her husband and daughter. I hope the best of what this man did lives on forever for those people in the best memories he left behind.

[jazzdelmar]

Brilliant words, Mal.

There’s going to be a GIANT shadow towering above this Tuesday’s Clippers and Lakers game. Thousands will cry as the Lakers have their first home game since his death. He was beyond loved and even deified in life. He played 57,278 minutes for the Lakers. Competed as hard as anyone ever has, and this competitive spirit is what we love and celebrate most in sports.

You see these figures so often that it is almost impossible not to think that they’ll remain in the spot light for years after they stop their playing careers. When they achieve the height of greatness that a player like Kobe Bryant did, they take on an air of invincibility. This morning, I thought that Kobe couldn’t be dead. He was too great to die this young. He had transitioned well into a fatherhood-focused, post playing career life. He had become a mentor for the game’s great young talent.

I didn’t know that someone dying tragically would touch me this much today. I rooted both for and against him. At the end of his career, I wish he had stayed healthy enough to gun for the most points scored by any NBA player, even if the Lakers weren’t relevant. Instead, I have a giant feeling of empathy for all his most ardent fans, but even more so for the parents who lost a son and a grandchild as well as the wife who lost her husband and daughter. I hope the best of what this man did lives on forever for those people in the best memories he left behind.

[Zags11]

This is on such a crazy level. I hate hearing when young kids pass away. Rip to everyone.

[LongIslandZagFan]

Never much of a Lakers fan... but always respected Kobe for the champion that he was. Truly a sad day. I cannot fathom the three families the lost both a spouse and a child in one fell swoop... just has to be soul crushing.

Godspeed Kobe, rest in peace.

[Ladyzag12]

It is super hard to hear about the loss of his daughter and the other family on board, but I won't forgive him for what he did in Colorado. He is up there with Big Ben as reprehensible athletes who stood above justice.