NBA plunged into mourning as Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES – The NBA grappled with the sudden death of league great Kobe Bryant on Sunday (Monday, Manila time), players saying they felt sick to their stomach taking to the court without having ample time to absorb the shocking news.

A haunting moment of silence preceded the Houston Rockets' game against the Nuggets in Denver, which tipped off just hours after the helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles in which Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine who perished.


In San Antonio, where the Spurs hosted the reigning champion Toronto Raptors, both teams took 24-second shot-clock violations on their first possessions of the game in honor of Bryant — who wore the number 24 in the later years of his career.


And in a move that other NBA teams are also expected to adopt, the Dallas Mavericks announced that they were retiring the number 24 jersey.

Several NBA stars said they were reluctant to step on the court after learning the news.



"I don't even know how we are supposed to play this game tonight," said Portland's Damian Lillard said before scoring 50 points in a 139-129 win over Indiana. "It makes you sick to your stomach. It is disturbing.

"It is bigger than just our heroes and the people we look up to dying. It goes deeper than that."

Newly retired Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade described Sunday as "one of the saddest days of my lifetime," adding that he couldn't believe Bryant was gone and that his family had been sharing Kobe stories all day.

"It seems like a bad dream that you just want to wake up from. It is a nightmare," he said.

"It is not going to go away soon. We will weep forever."

'We should honor him'

Eight NBA games were on tap Sunday, and the prevailing mood in every arena was sadness and shock.

Lillard said their coach Terry Stotts told them to go out and honor Bryant by not holding back.

"Coach said Kobe is the toughest to ever play this game. He said we should honor him that way.

"It was on all of our minds. In the time outs... it hurt all of us in our hearts. I look up to him. He's our hero. It is sad man, real sad day."

Reigning NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said all of Los Angeles was feeling the loss.

"No words can explain the impact he had on the floor," said Los Angeles Clippers Leonard. "We are a team from Los Angeles so we know the LA history with him. It is just sad."

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was preparing to start just his third career NBA contest against Boston when he was floored by news of the death.

"I couldn't focus at first when I heard the news," said Williamson, who was born the year Bryant won his first NBA championship in 2000. "It was tough getting out there. I just hate to see it happen like that to him and his daughter."

Clippers coach Doc Rivers fought back tears as he spoke to reporters before his team took on the Magic in Orlando.

"We're all Lakers right now," Rivers said, calling himself "lucky" to have had a chance to coach against Bryant — who won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"He was such a great opponent," Rivers said. "It's what you want in sports. He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have — the Tiger Woodses and Michael Jordans.

'Crazy day to play basketball'

"Looking at my young players and seeing how devastated they are," Rivers said as he lost his battle to hold back his tears.

New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said Bryant was one of the most driven players he has ever seen.

"I don't know where you could even start," said Gentry before his team's game against Boston.

"Great competitor, great guy, great father. Just really a sad, sad day for the NBA.

Atlanta Hawks rising star Trae Young said he was just getting to know Bryant and his basketball playing daughter.

"This is a crazy day to play basketball," Young said before the Hawks beat Washington 152-133. "I talked to him couple of times.

"He's only been to three games this year and two of them were ours. His daughter was a big fan of mine."

Bryant was one of the best closers the NBA has ever seen. Throughout his career, Bryant would baffle his coach Phil Jackson with his penchant to start games slowly before assuming total command in the fourth quarter. 

Former German all-star Dirk Nowitzki referred to Bryant's finishing skills in a heart-tugging written tribute.

"I remember coming home after games so I could watch you dominate in the fourth quarter! You will always be loved. Rest in Peace with your angel Gigi," said Nowitzki.

source: philstar.com

LeBron James surpasses Kobe Bryant at No. 3 in NBA all-time scoring list

MANILA, Philippines — The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James is now third in the NBA all-time scoring list after surpassing Kobe Bryant on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

James came out in the game with an ode to Bryant, with "Mamba 4 life | 8/24 KB" written in his game-worn shoes.

In his 17th season, James is continuing to make history with at least 33,644 career points. He now only trails Karl Malone (36,928) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387).

The 35-year-old is the only active player in the Top 10 all-time leading scorers list.

James sank the history-making bucket at around the 6:27 mark of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers would go on to lose the match, 91-108 and fall to a 36-10 slate with James finishing with 29.

But James and his squad remain at the top spot of the Western Conference as the league nears the All-Star break.

James hopes to lead the Lakers to their first title since 2010. Last season, the Lakers missed out on the playoffs.

source: philstar.com

West thumps East in Kobe Bryant’s final All-Star Game

The West All-Stars breezed past the East All-Stars, 196-173, to conclude the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities that set the stage for a fitting tribute to retiring superstar Kobe Bryant.

The annual showcase played in Toronto, Canada for the first time centered on Bryant who played in a record 18th All-Star appearance. A video montage showing the highlights of his 20-year career was showed before the game in a ceremony em-ceed by Lakers great Magic Johnson.

“I just want to thank you guys for all your support all these years,” Bryant told the “Ko-be!” chanting crowd.

“I’ve just been extremely fortunate to play the game I love and be in the NBA for over half my life.”

“He’s the Michael Jordan of our era,” said Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, an Eastern All-Star who like Bryant hails from Philadelphia.

“He’s the most competitive a lot of us have played against. And the things he’s done throughout his career and the things he’s done to change the game and motivate other players is unbelievable.”

Bryant, the top vote-getter in the All-Star Game, finished with 10 points, six boards and seven assists as his younger counterparts stole the spotlight.

Russell Westbrook won the NBA All-Star MVP award for the second straight year after piling up 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

“We were just playing lockup defense at the end,” said Russell, although for the most part defense wasn’t part of the program at the Air Canada Centre, where the annual exhibition was being held outside US borders for the first time.

Reigning NBA MVP scored 26 points, Anthony Davis had 24 while Kevin Durant and James Harden each had 23 markers. Chris Paul also collected 16 assists to go along with 14 points.

East’s Paul George top-scored the game with 41 points, one shy of tying the record for the most points made in an All-Star Game.

He just missed the All-Star single-game record of 42 points set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

It was a night of soaring dunks and long-range bombs all adding up to unprecedented numbers.

The 369 total points was an All-Star Game record, as was the West’s 196 total and their 104 points in the second half.

The Western Conference made a record 31 three-pointers — including seven apiece from Westbrook and James Harden and six from Curry.

source: interaksyon.com

Michael Jordan praises ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan paid tribute to Kobe Bryant in a pre-game video before Monday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets.

Jordan, who owns the Hornets, did not attend the game but made sure the retiring Bryant got a warm send off from the Charlotte organization.

“I’m a big fan,” said Jordan. “I still love watching you play.”

In the video, Jordan describes the 37-year-old Bryant as a “big help to the game of basketball.” He then refers to him as a little brother.

“We are very proud of what you have accomplished over the years. Have a great game. But not too good​.”

Jordan competed against Bryant in the latter part of his brilliant NBA career.

Bryant announced recently he would retire at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Star shock

Meanwhile, Bryant was stunned to learn he’s the runaway leader in fan voting for the 65th NBA All-Star Game as he battles through his 20th and final season with a lackluster Los Angeles Lakers team.

Amid debate earlier this month on whether he deserved an 18th all-star appearance, Bryant said it would be “great” to play once more in the mid-season exhibition, but said he’d support the showcase no matter what.

When early returns were announced on Friday, Bryant led the likes of reigning Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry of Golden State and Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.

“I was like, ‘What the hell?’” the 37-year-old said. “Shocked doesn’t do it justice. It’s exciting. What can I say? Just thankful.”

source: interaksyon.com

Kobe Bryant sees Olympic gold a ‘beautiful’ ending to his career

Kobe Bryant says he’s not pushing to play on the US Olympic team in Rio, but the retiring Los Angeles Lakers guard said Monday it would make a “beautiful” ending to his 20-year career.

The 37-year-old American guard, a five-time NBA champion and gold medal winner at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, announced last month this would be his final NBA campaign after a historic career.

After battling nagging injuries for years, Bryant is fit but the Lakers are in a rebuilding mode and at 4-23 have the second-worst record in the NBA.

Missing the playoffs could leave Bryant rested and in form to become the first man in Olympic history to win three basketball gold medals, should he earn a spot on the two-time defending champion American squad.

“It’s not something I’m absolutely pressing for but being part of the Olympic experience is a beautiful thing,” Bryant said.

“It would be a beautiful thing to finish my career playing internationally. But that being said we will see how it goes.”

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams would also have the chance for an unprecedented men’s Olympic hat-trick at Rio, but for Bryant it would be a golden farewell.

“I try to look at my legacy as much as how do I impact the future, not where do I rank among the best players all time,” Bryant said when asked where he fell among NBA icons.

“It’s a moot point and for me it’s pretty much of a shallow argument. It’s how do I impact the generation of players coming in by what I have done. I think it has impacted the generation coming in a big way and they will pass that along to the next generation to come.”

Bryant, a 17-time NBA All-Star, was speaking ahead of his record-setting 16th career appearance in a Christmas NBA matchup, his Lakers hosting the rival Los Angeles Clippers on December 25. He is the all-time leader in scoring for games on the holiday.

Bryant has been nagged by injuries in recent seasons and is struggling with a sore right shoulder. He is averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game this season for the Lakers, with career averages of 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals a game.

“I would have loved to have played overseas but it’s not going to happen. Body won’t let me,” Bryant admitted.

“My body has been through a lot. And it’s very easy to forget I haven’t played because of it. My timing is off, my rhythm is off. It was about me continuing my training and believing my timing will come back and that’s what happened.”

Bryant said he expects the megastar trend of the NBA to continue in the wake of Michael Jordan, LeBron James and himself, saying, “I think there’s going to be a player in the next 10 years that’s going to rise above it all.”

Rising Aussie star

As bad as this season is going, the Lakers could be in position for the top pick in next year’s NBA Draft, and that could be Australian forward Ben Simmons, who is averaging 18.7 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists a game this season as a freshman at Louisiana State University.

“He’s a tremendous player. He has got a lot of potential,” Bryant said of Simmons.

But Bryant warned that the Lakers carry a history of success that must be respected by those who would join them.

“It’s not about handing over the keys,” Bryant said. “For the players that are here, winning championships is the only goal. That’s the attitude.”

Bryant, who spent some of his youth in Italy, said he plans to be a global ambassador for the sport, naming Singapore and Africa as two of his planned destinations.

“I definitely plan on helping the game spread and helping kids all around the world understand all that surrounds the game and its potential,” Bryant said. “I look forward to visiting places like Africa and teaching the game.”

FIFA bans an ‘important first step’
He also called the eight-year bans issued Monday to FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini an “important first step” in cleaning up global football.

The American spent several years as a youth in Italy playing football and supporting AC Milan. He follows the sport and was clear in his condemnation of Blatter and Platini, barred for abusing their positions over a suspect $2 million (1.8 million euro) payment.

“It’s always a touchy thing. You are dealing with a big business,” Bryant said.

“I think this is an important first step to cleaning up the sport.

“With life being as brutal as it is, we come to sport as an escape. When something like this happens, it damages the emotional Shangri-La you get from sport.”

Bryant had confidence that those making efforts to revamp FIFA in the wake of the corruption will succeed.

“I’m sure they are on top of it and I’m sure they will get the sport back where we all want it to be,” Bryant said.

source: interaksyon.com

Kobe Bryant medically cleared for Lakers return

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has been medically cleared for all basketball activities when the Los Angeles lakers open training camp this month, US media reported Thursday.

Bryant, who suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder in January, appears to be right on schedule in his recovery from a third straight season-ending injury.

His original prognosis called for a nine-month recovery after surgery.

ESPN.com and Bleacher Report cited league sources in reporting Bryant had been cleared to play.

The 37-year-old is entering his 20th NBA season, but it’s been some time since he completed a campaign.

An Achilles tendon injury cut short his 2012-13 season, and a knee injury ended his 2013-14 campaign.

Since he was granted a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension by the Lakers in 2013, he has played only 41 games.

But the Lakers insist they don’t regret a deal that will pay Bryant a league-leading $25 million this season, with club president Jim Buss saying in August that the aging superstar “deserves the money.”

Bryant has said he’ll decide after this season if he’s ready to retire, with Buss suggesting in August that the Lakers would be prepared to keep him on.

“It’s his decision,” Buss said, although he acknowledged that Bryant might have to accept a reduced role.

Bryant has played for the Lakers his entire NBA career, winning titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010.

The 17-time All-Star is a two-time NBA scoring champion, and also a two-time Olympic champion with the United States.

source: interaksyon.com

Kobe confident that Lakers have space to sign free agents despite extension

WASHINGTON – Kobe Bryant says his NBA return from left Achilles tendon surgery is likely weeks away but the Los Angeles Lakers guard is improving and regaining the explosiveness that made him a superstar.

And the 35-year-old American, who signed a two-year deal worth $48.5 million with the Lakers on Monday, says that his new deal does leave the Lakers room to sign new talent and become a title contender again as well as silence critics who doubt his worthiness for such a contract.

“It makes me want to run through a wall for them,” Bryant said Tuesday before the Lakers played at Washington. “It adds more fuel to the fire. It makes me want to come out and prove they were right and everybody else was wrong.

“We have the ability to do something special. We’ll have to see what happens.”

Bryant has not played since being injured last April but has practiced with the Lakers, who split their first 12 games of the new season, and says his return could come in December.

“Much closer. I feel good,” Bryant said. “I’m feeling much stronger, ready to come back.”

Bryant wants to have the same pep in his steps that helped the Lakers win five NBA titles between 2000 and 2010 and helped the US Olympic squad claim gold in 2008 and 2012.

“If it’s not there then I’m ready to adapt to whatever my body is telling me,” Bryant said. “I just want to come out and do what I do best and help this organization get back to where it belongs.

“The goal is to put ourselves in position to win a championship.”

Bryant took less than he could have sought from the Lakers and the difference could be enough to allow Los Angeles to land a top free agent next year such as New York star Carmelo Anthony.

“There was really no negotiation. The Lakers came up with a structure that they thought was a win-win for everyone involved,” Bryant said. “From my perspective it was easy to say yes. It was pretty quick. We had no conversation whatsoever. The only number I saw was the one I agreed to.”

Bryant, whose 31,617 career points rank fourth on the NBA all-time list, dismissed those who say the Lakers overspent on Bryant and will be hurt in bidding for free agents in 2014.

“I don’t think they understand the cap, and what the Lakers are trying to do, better than the Lakers did,” Bryant said. “I think we’ll be fine.”

Bryant has dubbed himself “a Laker for life” and said that after an unprecedented 20 NBA seasons with the same club he would likely call it quits — “probably. That’s a long time.”

Former Lakers owner Jerry Buss said Bryant was worth $60 million to $70 million a season for the team and thus his latest deal might well have been a nod to his past achievements as well as what might be yet to come.

“They stepped up to the plate and took care of me,” Bryant said. “Some of it is from things I had previously done. Some of it was a business decision. Some of it was for what they expect from me when I return.”

Bryant said the new contract gave him “some additional motivation — I’ve got to prove to myself I can do this thing, and to everybody else as well.

“To see what I have left, the drive and competitiveness, to see if I’m still one of the top players in the league, to see if I have any gas in the tank — that’s a challenge I readily accept.”

source: interaksyon.com

Olympics: Kobe 'wakes up' to show Olympic best

LONDON - Kobe Bryant, one of the two best known names in the U.S. basketball team, had yet to truly shine at the Olympics, but with an electric spell in Wednesday's quarter-final win over Australia he showed London a flash of his imperious best.

Bryant had the crowd on their feet singing his name with a quick-fire series of four three-point shots in just over a minute that took an already-stretched game beyond the reach of a battling Australian side.

"He got hot, he woke up. He definitely got it going and we all knew it was just a matter of time for him," said U.S. teammate Andre Iguodala.

Last week Bryant spoke about enjoying the Olympic experience, but a series of staid performances for an unbeaten and relatively untroubled U.S. team had ramped up the pressure on the five-time NBA champion of the Los Angeles Lakers to show his best form on the court.

"I was just searching for something to get me going, for something to activate 'the black mamba' as coach calls it," a smiling and laughing Bryant told reporters.

"I just found myself in a pretty good rhythm, found myself with some daylight to shoot the ball and they were going in for me."

U.S. team coach Mike Krzyzewski was clearer about what brought out the best in Bryant, who along with LeBron James is one of his top players: "Australia playing great."

"When you're playing a team who's fought back, and with the way they started the second half ... we needed guys to step forward," Krzyzewski said.

The U.S. team, catapulted by Bryant's streak midway through the fourth period, went on to win 119-86 and book a semi-final contest with Argentina that takes them to within two victories of retaining the title they won in Beijing four years ago. - Reuters

article source: gmanetwork.com