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Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) acknowledges fans following the second half of game two of their opening round NBA Playoffs series at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post (Photo By AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) acknowledges fans following the second half of game two of their opening round NBA Playoffs series at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post (Photo By AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The influence of Kobe Bryant on the basketball community is immense. The ‘Black Mamba’ was one of the greatest shooting guards in the league’s history. Moreover, many young players have expressed their opinions on his influence on their careers. Fans and pundits alike revere Bryant for his legendary performances on the court. The tragedy of Bryant left people shocked as some of them still refuse to believe it.
His former trainer, Tim Grover, remembers the tragic incident of Kobe Bryant in a recent interview.
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Tim Grover’s last conversation with Kobe Bryant
“We were going to get together, and the All-star game was gonna be in Chicago. And our plan was he was gonna come in town, you know, to support and some business stuff and so forth, so we had planned to get together. He said he will text me when I am in town, and, It never happened, it never happened. Chasing the next win.
“So what happened was, I get some information, somebody shoot me a text, and I was like fake news, this is not true, this is not true, and more media comes in, and then people who were really close to him, like in the LA area and so forth. Hey just wanna let you know, that this is true. I was like, it can’t be, it can’t be. It didn’t hit me until like 3 days later.”
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Guard (24) Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers prays before playing against the Detroit Pistons before the Pistons 97-83 victory over the Lakers at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
“I was sleeping, and I got in the middle of the night and I was just like, he is gone. You just didn’t wanna believe it,” said Tim.
The pain in Tim’s eyes is there for everyone to see, as the impact Kobe left on people is second to none. The work ethic he possessed was guidance to young aspiring basketball players all over the world.
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Bryant’s determination to be the best
Jordan often referred to Bryant as his little brother. Notably, Vanessa Bryant got accompanied by MJ during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony of Kobe Bryant, hence proving the effect he had on the GOAT. His trainer often mentioned the determination he possessed to work on his craft and constantly improve his game.
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Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
The legacy left by Kobe will be unmatched. The word Kobe echoes around even with a simple task of people throwing paper into a wastebasket in their homes. That is the gift from Kobe to the world.
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Notably, he was also an ambassador for many charity events while granting over 200 or more wishes for the Make-A-Wish foundation. Although he left the world too soon, the ever-lasting impact he left on people was admirable.
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