Kobe Bryant, the NBA’s superstar, passed away in a helicopter crash, and the entire sport is mourning. But what’s life after basketball? What’s the impact of the legend’s death on his family and teammates? And how do we honor his memory? Here’s a look at a few answers.
Career
For anyone that’s a basketball fan, you probably have heard of Kobe Bryant. The former Los Angeles Lakers star is one of the game’s most decorated players, racking up an impressive 18 All-Star Game selections over a 20-year career. He’s also been a member of two championship teams and the only player in the NBA to win a MVP award in three different seasons.
When he retired from the league, Kobe had a reputation for being aloof, particularly when it came to his teammates. But in his post-retirement years, Bryant showed his true colors. This prompted the Los Angeles Times to name him its first-ever sports superstar.
Aside from his storied basketball career, Bryant made a name for himself in other fields. Among other things, he founded a production company that specializes in the manufacture of basketballs, basketball bags, and other products. One of his more successful endeavors was the creation of a series of videos aimed at young aspiring ballers.
In honor of the legendary basketballer, the Lakers hosted a memorial in his honor on February 24, 2020, inside the Staples Center. Before each game, tributes were paid to the greatness of Bryant’s life. Many of the other legends gathered at the game, including LeBron James, Kobe’s buddy Dwayne Wade, and Kobe’s former mentor Magic Johnson.
Aside from his legendary on-court performances, Kobe Bryant also had the good fortune of being surrounded by friends and family. That’s not to mention his illustrious wife Vanessa and their four daughters. As a family man, it’s no surprise that he was a man of the people.
Despite the tragic end to his illustrious career, Kobe Bryant is still an iconic figure in the eyes of the game’s biggest fans. Even his competitors have paid homage to their former star with Kobe branded shoes, apparel, and accessories. So, for the true fan, there’s always an occasion to show your support. With that in mind, check out these Kobe Bryant career wallpaper to honor this legend.
There are many great Kobe Bryant career wallpapers to choose from. You’re sure to find one that fits your tastes and style.
Life after basketball
Kobe Bryant’s life after basketball was a very busy one. It surprised a lot of people. He was not only a great athlete, but he also had many business interests.
When he retired, he opened a production company called Granity Studios. The company focuses on the storytelling in sports. They have produced a podcast, a short film, and a series of children’s books.
Kobe Bryant’s most recent book, “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,” is set to be released in March. It reflects some of the nicknames that he had when he was playing.
He was an 18-time All-Star, a five-time NBA champion, and an MVP. He was also a member of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men’s basketball team. In addition to his success on the court, Kobe Bryant was an inspirational figure. For instance, he raised $80 million to fund cancer research.
He had a passion for investing in the lives of youth, and after retiring from the NBA, he dedicated his time to inspiring kids to succeed. He helped create a company to support after-school all-stars, and he invested in other businesses. One of these companies was Body Armor. A Coca-Cola company purchased a stake in the company.
Bryant had an enduring work ethic, and his desire to be the best at what he did was infectious. His family was his top priority. So, after he retired, Kobe began spending more of his time with his daughters, rather than working on the court.
During his retirement, he also worked on a series of books for children. He was the national ambassador for After-School All-Stars, a nonprofit organization that provides after-school activities for underprivileged students.
While Kobe Bryant’s life after basketball isn’t entirely what we would expect, it was filled with some amazing feats. He was a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and he produced an Oscar-winning animated short film. Even though he had not played a game in over 20 years, he was still very competitive. Despite having an injured finger, he refused to sit out of games.
His legacy will live on forever.
Death in a helicopter crash
When Kobe Bryant died last year in a helicopter crash in California, the world was shocked. The basketball star was a beloved sports figure who won five NBA titles. He also was known for his charity work and business ventures. In addition to his playing career, he coached younger generations of players.
The 41-year-old retired NBA star, who was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, was killed in the crash. Two other women, Christina Mauser and Sarah Chester, and John Altobelli, a former baseball coach at Orange Coast College, were among the nine people who died.
Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash was the result of a pilot’s decision to fly into clouds, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Although the cause of the crash has yet to be fully determined, investigators are looking at several potential causes.
According to the NTSB’s findings, the chopper’s flight into the cloud was improper and violated federal standards. It should have been canceled in fog.
The NTSB released its findings in an 86-page report. It found that the pilot’s decision to fly into the cloud was the primary factor leading to the crash. While the cause of the crash will be revealed in months, the NTSB is also calling for safety upgrades in helicopters.
Island Express Helicopters Inc., the company that owned the helicopter, denied responsibility for the crash. They said that the victims assumed the risks of flying by volunteering to fly. But Bryant’s family filed multiple lawsuits against the company.
According to the NTSB’s report, the company had not provided the pilot with adequate training. They also failed to notify air traffic controllers that they lost radar contact.
After the crash, the Los Angeles Police Department grounded all helicopters in the area. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Fire Department also grounded their helicopters. However, officials did not ground all of the dozens of helicopters that were operating in the area on the morning of the crash.
The NTSB will release its final report on February 9. Although the final report will be released soon, it may take months for federal investigators to find out the actual causes of the crash.
Honoring the life of a legend
On the anniversary of his death, Kobe Bryant fans are paying tribute. The NBA legend, who passed away on January 26, died in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna. His Lakers teammates have paid tribute to him. There is also a memorial ceremony at Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant has been a leader and a humanitarian. He was an 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion. As the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, he helped the NBA transition to an international level. After retiring from the NBA, he helped start the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underserved athletes.
Kobe Bryant will be remembered on a special two-hour episode of ESPN’s daily NBA program on Tuesday. The special will focus on Bryant’s career with the Lakers and his influence on Los Angeles. In addition, three “Honoring Kobe” episodes will be aired on ESPN+.
The mural artists who worked on the piece say it is the largest portrait of Bryant ever created in Los Angeles. It measures 125 feet long and 32 feet wide. Also, the statue’s pedestal is engraved with the names of seven other people. Those names include his wife, Vanessa, and daughters, Gianna, Kylie, and Leah.
Fans can also remember Kobe Bryant by watching SportsCenter present Kobe – The Legend, The Legacy. The special will air on Sunday, January 24 at 9 p.m. ET, and will feature host Jeremy Schaap and Lisa Salters from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Lakers will celebrate the life of Bryant by lighting up Pacific Park with purple and gold lights, and there will be a 90-foot Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier that will be adorned with Lakers colors. And there will be a memorial for the NBA legend on February 24, 2020.
Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was known as the Black Mamba. Whether it was playing in the NBA or on the WNBA, he pushed for equality and opportunities for women and girls. During his time with the Lakers, he won five NBA titles and became a leader in the game.
