Today In Lakers History: Kobe Bryant Formally Acquired From Hornets

I’m ready for you.” And we might beat his ass again. He practiced until at some point, a pair months later, he finally won. If you actually said, “Kobe, I wager you can’t make five in a row by dropping the ball and kicking it in from half courtroom,” that motherfucker would go out there and follow it till he could do it. And that’s what people don’t perceive once they speak about champions — once they talk about a winner’s mentality. And I imply that in the truest sense … it was actually unbelievable.

Since the Lakers had middle Vlade Divacs to commerce, the stage was set for a draft evening gambit by which the Hornets would draft Bryant then trade him to the Lakers for Divacs... Tragically, Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others perished in a helicopter crash in January 2020. The staggering misfortune despatched shockwaves all by way of the world, leaving fans and particular person rivals grieving. Because of this tragedy, Kobe inspired legends and current gamers, leaving an enduring impression on their lives. Whether you would possibly be from the United States or in another country, Kobe instilled the “Mamba Mentality” as a reminder to become nice. Emergency responders cover stays on the site of the helicopter crash that killed 9 individuals together with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on Sunday in Calabasas.

He was counseled on the incident but not required to undergo any remedial coaching. "I haven’t seen something within the knowledge that I’ve looked at that might recommend that there was anything bodily incorrect with the helicopter, that might trigger an accident," stated Brickhouse, who reviewed the NTSB's public docket of the crash. Cress stated the Sikorsky S-76 is mostly well-regarded amongst pilots and has a powerful security document over many years of use.

Shortly afterward, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The retired NBA famous person was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020. The accident shocked basketball followers and athletes from across the nation and all over the world.

In January 2020, Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter Gianna Bryant. In Game 1, Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through many of the recreation, scored 18 of his 32 points within the last eight minutes to keep Los Angeles safely forward. That made Denver the first 50-win group to be swept out of the first spherical of the playoffs for the rationale that Memphis Grizzlies fell in four video games to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004. In the first sport of the subsequent round, in opposition to the Jazz, Bryant scored 38 points as the Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1. The Lakers then gained the next two video games to win the semifinals. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in five games, sending themselves to the NBA Finals, against the Boston Celtics.

Bryant's play was notable and praised for his efficiency in the 4th quarter of video games, specifically the final 2 rounds of the playoffs. This cemented Bryant's popularity as a "clutch player." Statistically, the 2000–01 season noticed Bryant perform equally to the previous yr, but he averaged 6 extra points a sport (28.5). Once again he led the staff in assists with 5 per recreation. The Lakers however, solely gained fifty six games, an 11-game drop off from final yr.

Explore a surprising tropical backdrop and flex your custom, personalized style in an all-new City, rich with elective facet quests and scorching streetball competition. Receive a MyPLAYER gamerplate and a couple of further MyTEAM Promo Packs whenever you order via the PlayStation Store. Kobe's mother's brother, John Cox, also played in the NBA.

His $680 million in earnings from taking half in salary and endorsements throughout his playing career had been a record for a group athlete. Bryant died, alongside with his daughter Gianna and 7 others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in 2020. A variety of tributes and memorials were subsequently issued, together with renaming the All-Star MVP Award in his honor. He wished to fulfill the Lakers legend, but he also understood the character of celebrity, and Prescott didn’t want to intrude on Bryant while he was at dinner with associates or household. Besides, the house where Prescott was staying was lower than a mile from Kobe’s residence.