2019-20 WORLD CHAMPION Los Angeles Lakers Thread

Originally posted by VaBeachNiner:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
So was his family on board this chopper too? Like his wife and kids? Or just him? Very terrible tragedy.

Just his one daughter GiGi. The other passengers were a JuCo coach with his wife and daughter and another coach as well.

Oh I see. This is very sad.

MAvs retiring #24. Powerful stuff from Cuban.

Watching Jerry West break down on tv hit me right in the feels.

I'm still so sad. I hope the end was quick if it wasn't I hope Kobe consoled his daughter.

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

MAvs retiring #24. Powerful stuff from Cuban.

It is a great sentiment and I completely understand it but at the same time - I like when other players wear it as a tribute to that player. Either way - great show of respect from Cuban.

I watched Kobe come into Oakland and stomp by team countless times. I cant stand the Lakers, but this is so much more than that. I have always loved Kobe. Closest thing to Jordan I have ever seen.

I've been sad af today, and I can't even imagine how much worse it is for you all. My heart hurts for all of you.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

I watched Kobe come into Oakland and stomp by team countless times. I cant stand the Lakers, but this is so much more than that. I have always loved Kobe. Closest thing to Jordan I have ever seen.

I've been sad af today, and I can't even imagine how much worse it is for you all. My heart hurts for all of you.

He had a serious impact on all passionate hoop fans. No matter your record I remember growing up how deafening and rowdy Oracle was. That al Harrington monta Ellis / baron davis team was tough!!!

Shared this in the Warriors thread, but wanted to put it in here too....

March 23, 2008

My best friend Josh who lives in LA, calls me at 8am and asks me what my Easter plans were. Since my parents had retired and moved to Arizona, and Easter being one of those smaller holidays that I never flew out to go see them for, I had no plans. He said "shot in the dark, but do you want to drive down here and go watch the Warriors Lakers game at Staples?" 20 minutes later, I was in my car driving south.

The game was unbelievable. We (Warriors) jumped out to a ridiculous lead. Stephen Jackson hit a bunch of threes. Monta was killin. I want to say we were up by close to 25 at halftime. Then, Kobe happened. After a rough first half for him, he was unbelievable in the 2nd half. Hitting huge shots. Great passes finding open players. Just completely took over the game. Lakers erased that massive lead and if it wasnt for Stephen Jackson hitting 2 monster threes at the end of the game (to match Kobe's), we would have had the win stolen from us.

Kobe finished with 36, 14 and 8. Monta and Jack both had 31. We won by 4 points.

Was just an amazing game, and one of my favorite games I have ever been to in my life. Such a great memory. RIP Kobe.

ESPN is airing Kobe's final game tonight at 6 pst.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Shared this in the Warriors thread, but wanted to put it in here too....

March 23, 2008

My best friend Josh who lives in LA, calls me at 8am and asks me what my Easter plans were. Since my parents had retired and moved to Arizona, and Easter being one of those smaller holidays that I never flew out to go see them for, I had no plans. He said "shot in the dark, but do you want to drive down here and go watch the Warriors Lakers game at Staples?" 20 minutes later, I was in my car driving south.

The game was unbelievable. We (Warriors) jumped out to a ridiculous lead. Stephen Jackson hit a bunch of threes. Monta was killin. I want to say we were up by close to 25 at halftime. Then, Kobe happened. After a rough first half for him, he was unbelievable in the 2nd half. Hitting huge shots. Great passes finding open players. Just completely took over the game. Lakers erased that massive lead and if it wasnt for Stephen Jackson hitting 2 monster threes at the end of the game (to match Kobe's), we would have had the win stolen from us.

Kobe finished with 36, 14 and 8. Monta and Jack both had 31. We won by 4 points.

Was just an amazing game, and one of my favorite games I have ever been to in my life. Such a great memory. RIP Kobe.

Thanks for sharing SW.

Favorite memory of Kobe: I believe this was the 2003 All Star Game, when Kobe decided to guard Jordan 1-on-1 towards the late 4th quarter. Karl Malone tried to help out Kobe only for Kobe to shooed him away... Malone was pissed that this kid shooed him away yet Bryant wanted to face Jordan on a one-on-one situation.

Jordan got his point but still..

For someone so young, at the time, to try and defend who most consider the greatest to ever play the game on a 1-on-1 basis? Show;s the kind of drive Kobe had. Hated my team playing against those Lakers because of Kobe and Shaq, but damn were they respected. Esp. when he won 2 without Shaq.

Originally posted by kidash98:

Favorite memory of Kobe: I believe this was the 2003 All Star Game, when Kobe decided to guard Jordan 1-on-1 towards the late 4th quarter. Karl Malone tried to help out Kobe only for Kobe to shooed him away... Malone was pissed that this kid shooed him away yet Bryant wanted to face Jordan on a one-on-one situation.

Jordan got his point but still..

For someone so young, at the time, to try and defend who most consider the greatest to ever play the game on a 1-on-1 basis? Show;s the kind of drive Kobe had. Hated my team playing against those Lakers because of Kobe and Shaq, but damn were they respected. Esp. when he won 2 without Shaq.

Haha to expand on this, Kobe was youngest to make all star game at time in 98 and he went after Jordan. George Karl didn't let him finish the game. Kobe was so pissed he pulled him out the rest of his career wanted to get back at Karl and his stats against his nuggets and other coached teams is hilarious. He never forgot that and wanted to make him pay every year after lol

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Originally posted by kidash98:

Favorite memory of Kobe: I believe this was the 2003 All Star Game, when Kobe decided to guard Jordan 1-on-1 towards the late 4th quarter. Karl Malone tried to help out Kobe only for Kobe to shooed him away... Malone was pissed that this kid shooed him away yet Bryant wanted to face Jordan on a one-on-one situation.

Jordan got his point but still..

For someone so young, at the time, to try and defend who most consider the greatest to ever play the game on a 1-on-1 basis? Show;s the kind of drive Kobe had. Hated my team playing against those Lakers because of Kobe and Shaq, but damn were they respected. Esp. when he won 2 without Shaq.

Haha to expand on this, Kobe was youngest to make all star game at time in 98 and he went after Jordan. George Karl didn't let him finish the game. Kobe was so pissed he pulled him out the rest of his career wanted to get back at Karl and his stats against his nuggets and other coached teams is hilarious. He never forgot that and wanted to make him pay every year after lol

Thanks for the correction, wasn't sure if that was the 1998 or 2003.

So many. 1 that always comes to mind is in 2008 .We took a road trip to Sacramento. And my Sister taking a 'DX" Selfie on the Kings Logo. and Security chasing us out.coming back @ Night . watching the game. And an older fellow told my younger brother and sister "you guys are in the presence of greatness" Once in a lifetime talent.

How are you guys dealing with this? I cant even think about the super bowl. This man was my idol. I started watching hoops the same year he was a rookie.