Tragic End to ‘Slam Dunk; Star ! NBA Legendary Basketball Player Kobe Bryant That I Remember
Mangaluru: As I was watching the news on CNN this morning, I was shock to hear the sad news of the tragic death of National Basketball association (NBA )Legendary Basketball player Kobe Bryant, who died along with his daughter in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Los Angeles on Sunday morning. Until I migrated to USA in 1990, I was a hardcore cricket fan here, but lost my interest completely in cricket after landing in Chicago, USA. Since 1990 until 2013, when I returned back to Mangaluru I was totally a hardcore fan of Baseball and Basketball games. While Chicago Cubs were my favorite baseball team, Chicago Bulls were my favorite Basketball team, and watching “MJ” Michael Jordan playing for Chicago Bulls is always a memorable time at the game.
Among the NBA basketball players, my favourites other than Michael Jordan were- Kobe Bryant , Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal-all three players of LA Lakers- and whenever LA Lakers played against Chicago Bulls, I make it a point to watch the live games at United Centre, Chicago- and matches between these two teams was quite thrilling to watch- where we had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc, and on LA Lakers side, Kobe Bryant and his teammates battling with each other and enthralling their fans with their game. I still remember the incredible Slam Dunks of Kobe Bryant, which were amazing to watch. Great Player, sadly Missed- May His Soul Rest in Peace!
‘I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me.’ That’s Michael Jordan sharing his thoughts on the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, both of whom died in a helicopter crash.
“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force,” Jordan continued. “Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply — and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball. Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world.”
Those words clearly would have meant a lot to Bryant, considering the imprint Jordan had on his life. Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time champion, surpassed Jordan as third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list back in 2014, but he just gave up that spot to LeBron James on Saturday night. Kobe Bryant, 41, the legendary basketball star who spent 20 years with the Lakers, was killed Sunday morning when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas. His daughter Gianna, 13, was also on board, NBA authorities confirmed. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people were on the copter — a pilot and eight passengers, reports LA Times.
Sources reveal that the helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76B built in 1991, departed John Wayne Airport at 9:06 a.m. Sunday, according to publicly available flight records. The chopper passed over Boyle Heights, near Dodger Stadium, and circled over Glendale during the flight. The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. near Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street in Calabasas. Authorities received a 911 call at 9:47 a.m., and firefighters arrived to find that the crash had ignited a quarter-acre brush fire in steep terrain. Responders included 56 fire personnel — firefighters, a helicopter with paramedics, hand crews — and sheriff’s deputies.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Baseball coach John Altobelli was among the others who died in the crash- as a mentor and coach for 27 years, he helped students earn scholarships to play at four-year colleges and treated players like family, Altobelli’s wife, Keri Altobelli, and their 13-year-old daughter, Alyssa, who played on the club team with Bryant’s daughter, were also among the victims, according to LA Times.
Inputs from Los Angeles Times
