12 Kobe Bryant

Honoring The legacy of Kobe Bryant

On Jan. 26, at approximately 11:24 AM, celebrity-gossip site TMZ sent shockwaves around the world when they reported that Laker legend Kobe Bryant was amongst those killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA. Bryant was on his way to a youth basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy with his daughter Gianna Bryant when the helicopter crashed. Along with Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter GiGi, seven other lives were lost in the fatal crash. The Paw Print mourns the losses of the John, Keri, and Alyssa Altobelli, as well as Sarah and Peyton Chester, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan. In 41 years of life, Bryant compiled many accomplishments both on and off the court. In 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he became the 4th-leading all-time scorer in the NBA, with five championships and two Finals MVP awards. Bryant was also an 18-time AllStar and the 2008 MVP. In the film industry, Bryant was just getting started. His short film, “Dear Basketball”, won an Oscar in 2018 for best Animated Short Film. Kobe Bryant changed the landscape of basketball for not just LA, but for the entire league. Whether it’s throwing a paper ball in a trash and shouting “Kobe!” or hitting a Kobe-like jump shot in pick-up basketball, his legacy left a lasting impact on the sport as a whole. The “Black Mamba ‘’ has hundreds of moments that Lakers fans remember like it was yesterday. Though he had many unforgettable moments, there are certain memories that will define his legacy forever. On Jan. 22, 2006, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Toronto Raptors in a mid-season game in the Staples Center. With the majority of America focused on championship weekend in the NFL, Bryant dropped 81 points leading the Lakers to a 122-104 win over the Raptors. Marked in history as the second leading scorer in an NBA game, Bryant created another chapter to his storied legacy. Even at his lowest moment, Bryant left us with an extraordinary display of will and the Mamba Mentality. On April 12, 2013, he was cruising through the Golden State Warriors’ defense. With three minutes left in the game, however, disaster struck. Bryant was driving into the lane, then fell to the floor clutching his leg with a torn Achilles tendon. Rather than walking off of the floor as most players would have done, the Mamba fought through excruciating pain to sink two foul shots before limping off to the locker room. These two points would prove to be all the difference, as the Lakers would win 118-116 thanks to Bryant’s 34 points. And of course, no one can forget his final game against the Utah Jazz. On April 13, 2016, Bryant put up a stunning 60 points, including 23 in a fourth quarter where he outscored the entire Utah team to rally the Lakers from a 10-point deficit late. It was a fitting finale for an incredible player. There is no denying that Kobe Bryant left his mark on the NBA forever and changed the game for the better of the league. Rest In Peace, Mamba. The world misses you.