One of the NBA greats, Kobe Bryant, passed away through a tragic helicopter accident along with 8 others. Since then, thousands flock the Staples Center to honor and thank him for what he has done on and off the court. Around the league, teams, coaches, and players show different gestures in remembering Kobe.
A Loss Felt Around the World
We are, if not all then most, the generation that grew up wanting to be like Kobe like how his generation wanted to be like Mike (Michael Jordan). We’ve imitated his jab steps and his footwork, we’ve posted up many times against our friends with a ball or a crumpled paper in our hands with the shot clock winding down in our minds; 5… 4… 3… turns around, pump fakes… 2… fade away… and 1… while yelling our hearts out, “Kobe!”. We all did this as a kid who grew up watching basketball. No matter where you are in the world, you did this at least once in your basketball life. And the heartbreaking news did not just shock the NBA, but the whole world as well.
Because of this loss, the NBA along with teams, coaches and players did different tributes to honor Kobe. Teams committed 8-second backcourt violations and 24-second shot clock violations to honor Kobe’s number 8 and 24. Players wear Kobe jerseys pre-game. Some players changed numbers. Arenas leave two courtside seats open to remember Kobe and his daughter, Gianna.
Teams outside of basketball in different parts of the globe also did tributes to the Black Mamba.
Basketball fans around the world pay homage to their idol through different interpretations of art.
Remembering Kobe: The Fantasy Stud
Kobe is known for his tenacity, competitiveness, ability to make big-time plays in big-time moments and excel in the highest level of competition in the sport. These qualities not only made him one of the greatest to ever do it on the court but also one of the best fantasy players to own in his playing day.
Before anything else, Kobe Bryant had two No. 1 finishes back in ’02-’03 and ’06-’07 in eight-category leagues (Total Production). He is also a 10-time top-10 player, he got four top-20 finishes all through his career. He has been durable and a reliable force through years ’98-’13 where he never missed more than 18 games in any season during this stretch finishing in the top-25 for 15 straight times.
To honor him, Yahoo Fantasy made Kobe available on the waiver wire (6% Owned). Would you free up a spot on your roster and add him from the wire? Because I know I would.
