Didn't want to come on the board. This is a terrible day. One of the few players who seemed to really be ready for life after basketball. He had a plan and a new passion. And now it's over. Not like this. Damn.
I haven't been on this forum in awhile but had to come on and commiserate with the CL/LB family. So thankful for the years of joy that Kobe brought all of us.
It took me a few hours to process. It's still hard to believe he's gone forever. I can't imagine what Vanessa and her children are going through. Vanessa lost her husband and her daughter in one day. Never take family for granted. Always cherish the time you spend with them. They could be gone tomorrow.
As a father of four, this loss hits home. The man took his last breaths doing the most honorable thing a man can do, which is be a father to his child.
"Lakers are the heartbeat of Los Angeles, and Kobe Bryant was the blood that flowed through it." -David Fizdale
I yelled - “Kobe smile”! This is the look he gave me - right at me. Best seats I ever had. Best pics I ever took. Still having trouble processing.
As a retired military guy I am used to seeing people die young. The shock of it is always deep cutting. As a sports fan the loss of an athlete (or celebrity) can be shocking too but is usually dismissed soon after. This one hits both sides of these lanes for me. Being deployed and stationed overseas for many years I got to watch the Lakers with Kobe/Shaq/crew and then Kobe/Pau/LO/crew as a connection to home. The highs and lows of fandom was reached with this man's game. I argued him being the GOAT with many of fans. I laughed at people condemning him for shooting too much, being cold and, my favorite, only winning cause of Shaq until he won with Pau and crew. I use his work ethic during my talks to teens and workshops to show what drive and will can get you. Kobe has been a part of my life, like many of us, and I will miss what he would do going forward. I am shook. I am saddened. As a father I feel for his wife and his other daughters. As a fan of the Lakers.... I say, Thank you Mamba for giving us every drop of yourself. Mamba Out!
Literally 4 hours into this even after watching much time of the news, I was outside and briefly flashed and wanted to wake up from a too real nightmare of the worst sort. But can't. The Basketball world lost two of its greatest players in history this morning. Does anyone with the passion Gigi showed doubt that she was going to be one of the best ever as well. Just heartbroken for Vanessa and the other sisters and for what we won't have in our lives going forward from these two people. Kobe always in his after career so polished and eloquent and classy.