“Best player I’ve ever played against” — Jamal Crawford’s words clearly made it clear how high he held Kobe Bryant in his books. So it was only natural that the Black Mamba became the reason that Crawford came back to the game he once stopped watching. Appearing on Run Your Race podcast, the ex-NBA star revealed that after playing the game for nearly two decades and speaking on it on multiple broadcast platforms, he stopped watching the NBA. The reason you ask?

Well, despite his 20-year-long run in the league, the last time that Crawford stepped on the court in the league, he scored 51 points. But still being denied further opportunities got JC confused as to why it happened. It also made him distant from even watching the game. However, a tragedy that shocked the entire sports world changed this. “I didn’t start watching basketball until Kobe passed (away)” JC revealed on the podcast.

It’s understandable considering the kind of impact the Black Mamba‘s death had on every single basketball enthusiast worldwide. This was nowhere more evident than in the LA Lakers’ first game after Bryant’s death. It was as if the world tuned in to say goodbye together. The game against the Portland Trail Blazers became the second-most-watched regular-season NBA game on ESPN, drawing 4.41 million viewers.

To put that in perspective, that’s nearly three times the audience of a similar game just a year earlier. It wasn’t just another game—it was a moment to remember Kobe. Yet, the game itself wasn’t what drew the most attention. The pregame tribute to Bryant touched even more hearts, with 5.23 million viewers watching as the world paused to honor the legend.

For those few moments, it felt like time stood still, with viewers peaking at 6.07 million as the tribute ended and the game began. It was a powerful reminder of how deeply Kobe’s legacy resonates. It was as if fans, both old and new, found themselves reconnecting with the game and the man who gave so much to it. Just like how Jamal Crawford found himself drawn back to the NBA after Kobe’s passing. In the years since, Kobe’s legacy has only grown stronger. He graced the cover of NBA 2K24, marking the fourth time the video game celebrated him. It was more than just a cover, though.

A testament to how deeply fans wanted to keep his memories alive. The surge in demand for Kobe’s merchandise was another reflection of this. Before his passing, Kobe had planned to leave Nike to start his own “Mamba” shoe line. After his death, his wife Vanessa allowed that deal to expire, only to later reignite the partnership, ensuring that Kobe’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Kobe Bryant’s death brought the cast of Inside the NBA grow closer: Ernie Johnson

The heartfelt bond among the cast of Inside the NBA has always been a cornerstone of its appeal. Fans don’t just tune in for basketball insights; they come for the genuine camaraderie between Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. Johnson once revealed that the Black Mamba‘s sudden demise became a moment that prompted the cast members to make this love and affection more obvious and visible. As per an article by Barrett Media, he recalled a moment during a broadcast from Los Angeles, where they paid tribute to the Lakers icon.

It was during this time that Shaq turned to his colleagues and said something many of us often forget to express. “I love you guys.” It was a simple yet powerful acknowledgment that resonated deeply, reminding all of them of the importance of saying what we feel at the right time. Johnson shared a lesson from that experience.

“I think one thing that whole moment of time taught all of us was that you don’t know how long you have… If the unthinkable happens, do you want to leave that with, ‘Man I wish I had said this. I wish that silly feud; I could have stepped up and defused it.’… I think it was a pretty brutal reminder of that.” The undeniable fact is Kobe Bryant’s sad demise impacted every individual who had even heard of Black Mamba, even if not a basketball fan.

Stay tuned for more updates. Join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, BG12, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.