Mamba Out: A tribute to Kobe Bryant

JOHN AHORRO Staff Writer

On Sunday, Jan. 26, the Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and eight others were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA. Fans all over Los Angeles and the world, including myself, were deeply shocked and saddened by the news. 

Kobe Bryant achieved five NBA championships, 18 All-Star Selections, two Olympic Gold medals and one Most-Valuable Player award. Known for his fierce competitiveness and drive to be the greatest, Bryant showcased his renowned Mamba Mentality on and off the court, winning both an Emmy and an Oscar following his NBA retirement. His many accomplishments were an inspiration to a generation. 

The news of the tragic accident was all the more shocking because Bryant seemed like an almost superhuman man. This was the man who tore his Achilles tendon and still went on to sink two free-throws and walk off the court, who once dropped 81 points in a game, becoming second behind Wilt Chamberlain in the highest points a player has ever scored in a single game. This was the very same man who capped off his career with a 60-point performance in his final game. However, Kobe was not invincible and his time was up.

 I and Bryant’s other fans will forever immortalize him as one of, if not the, greatest NBA players of all time.