RIP Kobe Bryant

[Cloned]

That's what makes this even more sad and tragic. Thinking about what could have been happening in that helicopter in those last minute(s) before the crash is just heartbreaking.

Like I said, I hope no one knew what was going on. Spending the last few minutes of your life in terror would be a terrible way to go.

 

[HisIceness]

One of my favorite "pick-up" videos.

 

[Nick Hansen]

Can't even remember another example of a sports legend like this dying so early in his life. Can only think of Ayrton Senna.

Sad.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Flying private aircraft has to be one of the riskiest things rich folks do. Seems to happen fairly frequently with both helicopters and small planes.

He could have easily died in a car crash bruh. When its time its time.

 

[ImNeverWrong]

i was never the biggest kobe fan, but i absolutely respected him as an all-time great and ambassador of sport. this is so sad, i feel especially bad for his daughter and her teammate, never like hearing about child death's. Such a tragedy, my condolences to the family and friends of all 5 passengers. May they rest in peace.

All this 24 hours after lebron passed him in pts, idk man...this has fate written all over it. =/

 

[darko]

Can't even remember another example of a sports legend like this dying so early in his life. Can only think of Ayrton Senna.

Sad.

Robert Clemente. For those much older than me.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

 

[EpochLink]

That feeling where you’ve grew up with someone/admired all the years going through life struggles and celebrations.

This hit home, Kobe was a part of my teenage years growing up and admired his drive.

...add to the fact Kobe Bryant NBA Courtside was one of my favorite games growing up, y’all don’t know how much of an impact that game had on me...over 22 years later that game still slaps.

 

[SladeWilson23]

 

[Cody Webster]

Just heartbreaking

Watching ESPN all day and it still hasn't fully sunk in yet. Probably never will. Just a heartbreaking day for all those involved

 

[Terry Yake]

two laker legends reunited

 

[SladeWilson23]

Robert Clemente. For those much older than me.

Thurman Munson and Roy Halladay

 

[JJ68]

Robert Clemente. For those much older than me.

Derrick Thomas as well

 

[405Exit]

I've been a resident of the county since 2009 and haven't resided anywhere else in my adult life. Your getting awfully confrontational and it's ok to be upset but please realize this is a freak accident, an absolute tragedy, assigning blame to the county for which he inspired and played his epic career in is juvenile.

I was born here. Ive been here for 33 years. I’m a Long Beach native. The fact that Long Beach airport let Kobe leave my airport this morning when it was cloudy as hell rests on me and my residents shoulders. And rests on our judgements going in LA from the people in that part of town.

This wasn’t a simple tragic accident. It a was stupid judgement by the Traffic Controller and by the Captain of the helicopter.

 

[John Price]

I'll never forget eating dinner in college at the dining hall watching this moment live.

 

[darko]

Thurman Munson and Roy Halladay

Duh, can't believe I forgot Doc.

 

[Power Man]

RIP Kobe and his daughter (and the other people who were with them)

I still can’t believe it, it seems surreal

The man was one of a very very few players who lit my Spurs up on a regular basis, that’s a rare feat

 

[Power Man]

Doc in tears

 

[Avs_19]

Such terrible and sad news. All the best to the families impacted by this tragedy.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I was born here. Ive been here for 33 years. I’m a Long Beach native. The fact that Long Beach airport let Kobe leave my airport this morning when it was cloudy as hell rests on me and my residents shoulders. And rests on our judgements going in LA from the people.

This wasn’t a simple tragic accident. It a was stupid judgement by the Traffic Controller and by the Captain of the helicopter.

It's not a competition, I'm very cognizant of the "let's pack it up" mentality of certain Police Deparments, including LBPD as I've personally witnessed them shoot an unarmed man dead in front of me and clear the scene in ~9 hours.

Seems very premature to begin assigning blame and while the weather conditions seem to be a factor here, there are witness accounts that the chopper was circling the area repeatedly, either because they couldn't find the landing pad or due to having to make an emergency landing (speculative)

My condolences to you... just know assigning blame and pointing the finger is not bringing him back. As loved and revered as Kobe is (and rightfully so), tax dollars are not for investigating the death of a celebrity/superstar athlete. So many people want answers and clarity as to how this transpired and I'm sure you'll get the answers your looking for but what is important is that he is honored like the legend he is and maybe this serves as a wake up call to many taking time (life) for granted.

 

[General Zodd]

So sad. Devastating news for the basketball world and sports fans. We lost a truly good and one all-star ! RIP!

 

[405Exit]

Doc in tears

Kobe is missed by all. Whether it’s a city rival to a team in the East. We all love and adore Kobe.

 

[Cloned]

Christina Mauser was also in the crash. She was a basketball coach.

 

[Cloned]

Some more from TMZ:

4:30 PM PT -- L.A. weather was extremely foggy Sunday morning, and law enforcement sources tell us even LAPD air support was grounded because of it. Flight tracker data shows Kobe's chopper appeared to first encounter weather issues as it was above the L.A. Zoo. It circled that area at least 6 times at a very low altitude -- around 875 feet -- perhaps waiting for the fog to clear.

We know the pilot contacted the control tower at Burbank Airport around 9:30 AM PT, and the tower was aware the pilot had been circling for about 15 minutes. The pilot eventually headed north along the 118 freeway before turning to the west, and started following above the 101 freeway around Woodland Hills, CA.

At around 9:40 AM they encounter more weather -- as in seriously heavy fog -- and the chopper turned south. This was critical, because they turned toward a mountainous area. The pilot suddenly and rapidly climbed from about 1200 feet up to 2000 feet.

However, moments later -- around 9:45 AM -- they flew into a mountain at 1700 feet. Flight tracker data shows they were flying at about 161 knots.

Sounds like no mechanical issues but a controlled flight into terrain.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]