The entire NBA community remembers the name of Kobe Bryant with great respect. During his 20 year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe helped the franchise win 5 titles and gave Lakers’ fans plenty of iconic moments.
Moreover, his ‘Mamba Mentality’ state of mind gave inspiration to several people inside and outside the basketball community. Additionally, he helped with the growth of women’s basketball by coaching his daughter’s AAU team and even giving advice to WNBA stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Candace Parker.
However, in January 2020, an event would arise that took the world by storm. Kobe, his daughter Gianna, along with seven others, would tragically pass away in a helicopter crash. Following the event, people from all over the world shared stories of how Kobe had inspired them. Moreover, the NBA community mourned the loss of one of their own.
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However, the ones who were most impacted were the family members of those who passed. This included Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant. Although she has endured the pain for 2 years now, she seems to be even more saddened after the leakage of the pictures of the crash.
Vanessa Bryant Lives in Fear
Vanessa Bryant’s world was torn apart after the loss of her husband and daughter. To make matters worse, first responders at the scene of the crash had allegedly leaked the pictures of the scene. This caused Vanessa even more pain. She even made the following statements regarding the issue.
“These deputies and firefighters took the worst thing that has ever happened to me — the worst thing that could happen to any mother or spouse — and made it worse,” stated Kobe’s wife.
Thereafter, she mentioned the fear that she presently lives with, regarding the pictures of the crash.
“For the rest of my life, one of two things will happen: either close-up photos of my husband’s and daughter’s bodies will go viral online, or I will continue to live in fear of that happening.”
Clearly, this issue seems to cause the family a lot of pain besides what they have already been enduring.
The Legacy of Kobe Bryant
As stated earlier, Kobe’s legacy stretches beyond the realm of basketball itself. From a scrawny 18-year-old kid with the Lakers in 1996, Kobe grew into one of the world’s most inspirational athletes. During his career in the NBA, Kobe helped the Lakers grow into a powerhouse. He won 5 titles and an MVP award and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest ever to play the game.
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Kobe has had a huge impact off the court as well. The foundation that he created with his wife, his career as an author, his presence in the Stand Up to Cancer telecast, and support for women in sports, are all examples of how he touched the lives of many.
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Although his passing shook the world, his memory still lives on and inspires people to be the best versions of themselves. After all, that’s what the ‘Mamba Mentality’ stands for.