When somebody passes away, it’s always a sad time, but it’s also a time to reflect and celebrate the life of that person. For basketball legend Kobe Bryant who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident on Sunday, there is a lot to celebrate.
One can speak on his maniacal competitiveness or the amount of hard work and passion he put into the game of basketball on a regular basis. It was an example to all young basketball players and especially for this current generation of basketball players.
“My condolences to Vanessa (Bryant), his family, all of the families that lost a loved one in the tragic accident yesterday,” said Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand. “Kobe meant a lot to us all. It wasn’t just what he accomplished, but how he accomplished it. His hard work, his tenacity, his passion to get the most out of his talent.”
An extremely emotional Elton Brand speaking on the life of Kobe Bryant today pic.twitter.com/mrVffxbMLg
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 27, 2020
Bryant left an undeniable imprint on the game of basketball that will be there for years and for generations to come. Current Sixers forward Tobias Harris took the loss the hardest as he used him as an example to get to this level.
“I think about the hours that he put into his craft, his work ethic,” said Harris. “I think about a true role model, a true hero. He was my hero as a kid. Hearing him get up at 6 in the morning to go work out and being the first in the gym, those things inspired me as a player coming up and I really try and model my work ethic after a guy like Kobe.”
Woke up this morning wishing yesterday was just a bad dream. Still can’t wrap my head around all that has transpired. Praying, thinking, questioning, trusting. Kobe, Gigi, everyone else on board you will be forever missed. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) January 27, 2020
A veteran like Al Horford, who has been in the league for now 13 years and had many battles with Bryant during his early days with the Atlanta Hawks, was shocked when he heard the news.
“My condolences to all of the families and everyone that’s impacted by this,” he started. “Kobe, the two things that really stand out to me are his competitiveness on the floor and I told this to the group: that fear that he used to put into his opponent’s eyes, the only way you would know that is if you got to play and go against it. Very few players have that and he had it and he was just such a competitor and it was something that I admired and respected.”
Coach Brett Brown, who had to coach against Bryant multiple times on the staff of Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs, had the ultimate respect for Bryant. The two men went at it in multiple playoff matchups and it was an admiration for him.
“There are always moments in our lives where you’re going to remember exactly where you were and exactly who told you and exactly the initial reaction that we all experience,” said said. “That was one of them for me and it’s just a tragic, tragic loss.”
The basketball world continues to mourn one of the game’s all-time greats as they continue to play the season out. When the Sixers face off with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, it will undoubtedly be an emotional night for everyone involved. [lawrence-related id=24293,24295,24282]