Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ baseball shortstop, has penned a heartfelt note for his late friend Kobe Bryant. It’s been five years since his passing on Sunday, January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Kobe was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, to the Camarillo Airport in Ventura County to play a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy when the incident happened.

The helicopter crash was so severe that it killed all the passengers on board, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter. Even after these years, Alex Rodriguez cannot forget him, and he still remembers him as a great companion and a basketball legend. Alex’s January 27 post on the Instagram handle with Kobe mentioning “Mamba forever” shows how much he loved him.

Alex Rodriguez considered Kobe Bryant as his role model

It has been five years since Alex Rodriguez lost his dear friend and basketball icon, Kobe Bryant. The former New York Yankees’ shortstop and third baseman shared a very close bond with Bryant. Alex considered Kobe a naturally gifted talent, whose work ethic and mastery of basketball fundamentals made him special.

Rodriguez said, “I learnt so much from Kobe Bryant. He was naturally gifted but had a passion for basketball like no one else I’ve ever seen. His work ethic was impeccable, and his stress on mastering the fundamentals is what elevated him to the player he was.”

He was praised for his biased approach, which made him listen to his own rather than seek approval and permission from others. But that’s not all!

Even though he was a legend in his own right, he never hesitated to offer Alex Rodriguez advice about his daily schedule. He spoke about his health and gave excellent suggestions for improving his hitting techniques. It made him Alex’s role model and inspired millions of people worldwide. Five years later, Rodriguez shared a photo of himself standing next to Kobe Bryant with the caption, “Mamba Forever.”

It shows that he is thinking back to the wise words of one of the greatest basketball players, who believed perseverance drives success. So, let’s dive deep into the memorable journey of Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant: A generational talent and one of the greatest in basketball

The five-time NBA Champion, Kobe Bryant, has been one of the greatest icons in basketball history. Despite his passing away in 2020 due to an unfortunate incident, he has remained among the top wings who ever graced the court. While his professional career spanned from 1996 to 2016 across 20 seasons, his immense contribution to the Los Angeles Lakers fetched him the regular-season MVP award.

In the postseason, he went 5-2 in the finals with a playoff record of 135-85 and a .614 winning percentage. During the playoff matches, his average was 25.6 points for every game, with 44.8 percent shooting along with 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in every game he played.

But that doesn’t end here!

Across the 1346 regular season games he played, his performance remained consistent throughout. Not only has he been a two-time NBA finals MVP, but he was selected to the All-NBA first team 11 times, and the All-NBA-Defensive first team 12 times. He is considered a legend because of his incredible 18 All-Star team appearances and two career championships. His 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors remains one of the most iconic moments of his career.

Although Kobe Bryant ranks fourth in the all-time NBA list, his legacy will surely inspire millions worldwide and influence more basketball players to play to their potential and not be feared for anything.

Can you share one of the best moments in Kobe Bryant’s career? Do share in the comment section below.