The year 2020 shook many people badly – and the NBA had already lost one of its greatest icons before the corona pandemic. Torn from life far too soon.
With only 41 years Kobe Bean Bryant died as well as his daughter Gianna and seven other inmates in a helicopter crash on January 26th near Los Angeles. Reminded at the end of the year SPORT1 once again to the “Black Mamba”.
The news of the legend’s tragic death stunned the beginning of the year. Not only was the basketball community in shock, that the entire sports world was in mourning.
Bryant as close to Jordan as no other
For those who know Michael Jordan primarily from highlights, Kobe Bryant was the best basketball player in the world for years – and the man who came closest to the heavy legacy of the GOAT.
Merciless on the field, blessed with a killer instinct that few athletes in the world have. This irrepressible will, the “Mamba Mentality”, drove Bryant to incredible top performances. Outstanding in the field, uncompromisingly away from it. Everything was subordinated to success.
Where colleagues like Shaquille O’Neal put on weight in the summer and were completely out of shape at the start of the season, Kobe trained. Like a man possessed. And so, at the peak of his career, he became more than just an exceptionally good player. Kobe became the ice-cold NBA terminator, merciless, unstoppable.
So he won his place in the basketball Olympus. Countless successes and games for eternity made him immortal during his lifetime.
81 points, five NBA titles
81 points against the Toronto Raptors – the second highest by any player ever. 62 in three-quarters against the Dallas Mavericks. Five championship titles, two finals MVP trophies, the award for the most valuable player in the league in 2008. In his very last career game, he scored an incredible 60 points.
And Bryant is ranked fourth on the all-time scorer list after being overtaken by LeBron James just a few days before his death. Bryant has long since passed the reign of the Los Angeles Lakers to the “King” and bowed to his successor with his last tweet. “Keep the game moving forward King James. Respect my brother,” wrote Bryant.
Idol and hate figure at the same time
With his incredible ambition that bordered on obsession, Kobe became an idol for some and a figure of hate for others.
He made opponents and teammates suffer. Nobody was safe from him. If a teammate let himself down in training or a game, Bryant let him feel it. If an opponent showed weakness, the “Black Mamba” bit coldly.
Regardless of how you felt about him, you always had to respect Bryant, you could only bow to his size.
Kobe Bryant only wanted one thing: to win
Almost every amateur and professional basketball player has stood on the outdoor court or in the hall, let the seconds run down in his mind, imagined wearing the Lakers jersey with the 8 (or 24) – and started to become a game winner.
Even throwing a crumpled paper ball into the trash can is still celebrated today with the words “Kobeeee”. Bryant, like Jordan before him, became the role model for a whole generation, the inspiration for countless current NBA players who grew up with his highlights and emulated him.
He missed the modesty, the sympathetic manner of Dirk Nowitzki. But he didn’t care. He didn’t want friends, he didn’t want a popularity award. He only wanted one thing: to win.
With the legendary words “Mamba out”, the superstar announced his departure from the NBA stage in 2016 – after his tragic death the world will miss him forever.
But his legacy remains.
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