“Went into Fan Mode”: Los Angeles Lakers Player Looks Back at Kobe Bryant’s Death

Los Angeles Lakers‘ Quinn Cook talked about how he felt when Kobe Bryant died earlier this year. Bryant suffered a tragic death in a helicopter crash in January. The sudden nature of his death had left everyone shocked. In an AMA session with Bleacher Report, Cook said he grew up admiring Kobe and his death was a “surreal moment.”

“It was a surreal moment for everybody, shocking for everybody. We all just had to be there. To be there for the family and pray for the families of those affected. I grew up the biggest Kobe fan ever… I saw fans were down there, and I was a fan first.

“Went into fan mode and just wanted to pay respects to Kobe and the place where I always saw Kobe,” he said.

Quinn Cook says the world is still trying to get over the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

Spending his entire NBA career with the Lakers, Bryant had left behind an unmatched legacy when he retired in 2016. He had won five titles which included an incredible three-peat at the turn of the century. Bryant was an 18-time all-star in his 20-year career and had 15 All-NBA team selections.

“My entire life, I saw him play at the Staples Center,” Cook said. “They were supportive, patted me on the back, let me grieve, let me have my privacy and my space. That was a tragic time that the world is still trying to get over what happened, that day January 26.

“It’s been a tough 2020 so far, and we want to just keep honoring Kobe and Gigi for sure.”

A two-time scoring champion, Bryant has scored 33,643 points in his career at an average of 25 points per game. The Lakers have retired both No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys which Bryant used over his 20-year career.

His achievements will also get a well-deserved recognition when he will officially become a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame in August later this year.

Cook, meanwhile, has joined the Lakers last summer. He will definitely enjoy playing for the team he has watched Bryant play in, all his life.