When the death of basketball luminary Kobe Bryant was announced, the world fell to shock. A tragic helicopter crash took the lives of nine; including Bryant and his thirteen year-old daughter Gianna who had a burning passion for basketball just like her influential father. Kobe Bryant had a strong passion for basketball and worked hard to always come out on top. He was a man that valued perseverance and he axiomatically inspired many with his 'Mamba Mentality'. Here is a look into the life of the legend himself; winner of five championship rings, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two Olympic gold medals in the 2008 Olympics, a Grammy and an Emmy Award for his movie Dear Basketball and many more achievements that allowed him to be regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began playing basketball professionally immediately after finishing high school at the age of 18. His father was a former NBA player as well. After high school, he was drafted to the NBA as a shooting guard after being recognised as the top high-school basketball player in the country, joining the Charlotte Hornets. Then, the Hornets traded him to the Lakers. Despite being a rookie in the NBA, Bryant quickly became recognised as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest. Besides that, he was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud with fellow teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the two led the Lakers to a powerful three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.
After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded and Bryant quickly became the backbone of the team. In 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points; the second most points scored in a single game in league history. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, and was named the NBA Finals MVP after both events. He further continued to be among the top players in the league in the year 2013, that was until he faced a torn Achilles tendon at age 34. Although he recovered from that injury, he suffered season-ending injuries to his knee and shoulder, in the following two seasons respectively. Citing his physical decline, Bryant retired after the 2015-2016 NBA season.
Kobe Bryant lived a basketball legacy. At 34 years and 104 days of age, he became the youngest player in league history to reach 30,000 career points. He surpassed Jerry West and became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. Kobe Bryant was also the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the second most of all time, and it is the record for most consecutive appearances as a starter. Bryant gave himself the nickname of "Black Mamba", as he wanted to harness the ability to "strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession." just like the snake itself. The star crafted the Mamba Mentality which inspired many around the world who instilled it not only in basketball, but also during their darkest times.
Furthermore, Bryant ties with Bob Pettit of the most All-Star MVP Awards in NBA history as they both hold four awards. As for Kobe Bryant's career with the US National team, he earned two Olympic gold medals and he also achieved an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for his film, Dear Basketball. Bryant then passed away this year on the 26th of January in a shocking helicopter crash that broke the hearts of people across the globe. Kobe Bryant, his rising star of a daughter Gianna along with seven other passengers lost their lives and caused a great wave of sorrow to flood the world.
The team from the ACG Times also gathered some of the students’ perspectives on the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. We had created an online survey and had students from ACG answer it.
Here are the results:
Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began playing basketball professionally immediately after finishing high school at the age of 18. His father was a former NBA player as well. After high school, he was drafted to the NBA as a shooting guard after being recognised as the top high-school basketball player in the country, joining the Charlotte Hornets. Then, the Hornets traded him to the Lakers. Despite being a rookie in the NBA, Bryant quickly became recognised as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest. Besides that, he was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud with fellow teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the two led the Lakers to a powerful three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.
After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded and Bryant quickly became the backbone of the team. In 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points; the second most points scored in a single game in league history. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, and was named the NBA Finals MVP after both events. He further continued to be among the top players in the league in the year 2013, that was until he faced a torn Achilles tendon at age 34. Although he recovered from that injury, he suffered season-ending injuries to his knee and shoulder, in the following two seasons respectively. Citing his physical decline, Bryant retired after the 2015-2016 NBA season.
Kobe Bryant lived a basketball legacy. At 34 years and 104 days of age, he became the youngest player in league history to reach 30,000 career points. He surpassed Jerry West and became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. Kobe Bryant was also the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the second most of all time, and it is the record for most consecutive appearances as a starter. Bryant gave himself the nickname of "Black Mamba", as he wanted to harness the ability to "strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession." just like the snake itself. The star crafted the Mamba Mentality which inspired many around the world who instilled it not only in basketball, but also during their darkest times.
Furthermore, Bryant ties with Bob Pettit of the most All-Star MVP Awards in NBA history as they both hold four awards. As for Kobe Bryant's career with the US National team, he earned two Olympic gold medals and he also achieved an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for his film, Dear Basketball. Bryant then passed away this year on the 26th of January in a shocking helicopter crash that broke the hearts of people across the globe. Kobe Bryant, his rising star of a daughter Gianna along with seven other passengers lost their lives and caused a great wave of sorrow to flood the world.
The team from the ACG Times also gathered some of the students’ perspectives on the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. We had created an online survey and had students from ACG answer it.
Here are the results:
Aside from that, we also asked them why or how did Kobe Bryant inspire them. Here are some of the responses we got:
- 'He was my inspiration to keep going in basketball after my injury. Times where i felt like giving up because i kept on doubting myself in tournaments. He would always have quotes and inspiring videos to keep us going! may he rest in paradise.'
- 'His work ethic and mamba mentality always keeps me pushing through.'
- 'Kobe Bryant saying that “The thing that is most feared by an athlete is not defeat but injury. “ is my motivation.'
- 'He was humble and only wanted the best for the Lakers.'
- 'His basketball skills were so good and I wish to be like him one day. He supported the WNBA too.'
- 'He was a really good person that played with passion.'
We also asked students why they think Kobe Bryant is considered a legend in the world of basketball.
- 'He was not only a great athlete who worked hard for everything he had, but also he was a great person at heart and a family man. He also helped WNBA get more recognition and basically put the league into the spotlight that they're in today.'
- 'Not only was he good at basketball but he's kind hearted. He coached at his mamba club, not only to coach his daughter but for everybody in the club.'
- 'His influence spanned far beyond basketball, his mamba mentality helped many people push themselves to be the best of what they want to be.'
- 'He has been an icon in not only basketball but in sports. His talent surprised people and deserves all the hype and more.'
- 'Because he was very humble, he was the kindest and he pursued the things he loved most. He kept on grinding and he never gave up.'
- 'Because he joined the NBA at such a young age when no one thought he could and then went on to become one of the greatest basketball players ever.'
Lastly, we asked them why they think Kobe Bryant should be commemorated.
- 'He passed so young. He was such a friendly person and put people first. His relationship with Gianna was so strong and the world lost both so soon.'
- 'Anyone's death is tragic, but his especially because of everything he has done for the world of basketball.'
- 'Because he gave me a lot of motivation and inspiration. But the throne of inheritance will continue to flow uninterruptedly.'
- 'Because he was a legend that will forever be remembered.'
- 'He was an icon in basketball and was a bigger icon to his family. RIP Kobe, Gianna, and everyone else involved in the crash.'
Kobe, we will always remember you for your dedication, incredible spirit and passion for the game as well as your contributions to the world of basketball. As for Gianna, you were a star in the making and we will always remember your strength and determination. Rest in Power.
- 'He was my inspiration to keep going in basketball after my injury. Times where i felt like giving up because i kept on doubting myself in tournaments. He would always have quotes and inspiring videos to keep us going! may he rest in paradise.'
- 'His work ethic and mamba mentality always keeps me pushing through.'
- 'Kobe Bryant saying that “The thing that is most feared by an athlete is not defeat but injury. “ is my motivation.'
- 'He was humble and only wanted the best for the Lakers.'
- 'His basketball skills were so good and I wish to be like him one day. He supported the WNBA too.'
- 'He was a really good person that played with passion.'
We also asked students why they think Kobe Bryant is considered a legend in the world of basketball.
- 'He was not only a great athlete who worked hard for everything he had, but also he was a great person at heart and a family man. He also helped WNBA get more recognition and basically put the league into the spotlight that they're in today.'
- 'Not only was he good at basketball but he's kind hearted. He coached at his mamba club, not only to coach his daughter but for everybody in the club.'
- 'His influence spanned far beyond basketball, his mamba mentality helped many people push themselves to be the best of what they want to be.'
- 'He has been an icon in not only basketball but in sports. His talent surprised people and deserves all the hype and more.'
- 'Because he was very humble, he was the kindest and he pursued the things he loved most. He kept on grinding and he never gave up.'
- 'Because he joined the NBA at such a young age when no one thought he could and then went on to become one of the greatest basketball players ever.'
Lastly, we asked them why they think Kobe Bryant should be commemorated.
- 'He passed so young. He was such a friendly person and put people first. His relationship with Gianna was so strong and the world lost both so soon.'
- 'Anyone's death is tragic, but his especially because of everything he has done for the world of basketball.'
- 'Because he gave me a lot of motivation and inspiration. But the throne of inheritance will continue to flow uninterruptedly.'
- 'Because he was a legend that will forever be remembered.'
- 'He was an icon in basketball and was a bigger icon to his family. RIP Kobe, Gianna, and everyone else involved in the crash.'
Kobe, we will always remember you for your dedication, incredible spirit and passion for the game as well as your contributions to the world of basketball. As for Gianna, you were a star in the making and we will always remember your strength and determination. Rest in Power.