'Laker fan for life': How rugby paid tribute to the death of NBA and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant
Much like the rest of the world, the sudden passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant has left the rugby fraternity in shock and disbelief.
The 41-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers star died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday (local time) alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people.
Tributes have since poured in from around the globe for Bryant, who established himself as one of the greatest basketball players to ever live after securing five NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVP awards, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections and two Olympic gold medals in a 20-year career stretching between 1996 and 2016.
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His accolades made him a revered figure in not just basketball, but the entire world of sport, which has subsequently left many rugby stars reeling in the wake of his death.
Former All Blacks first-five Dan Carter was among the many high-profile rugby players from across the planet who honoured Bryant and his daughter on social media in the hours following the announcement of the helicopter crash.
“Rest in Peace, Kobe and Gianna Bryant,” the Kobe Steelers playmaker posted to his 1.6 million collective followers on Twitter and Instagram.
“Taken far too soon. My thoughts are with the Bryant family at this incredibly difficult time, and the families of the others that passed in that tragic crash. Very sad.”
Rest In Peace, Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Taken far too soon. My thoughts are with the Bryant family at this incredibly difficult time, and the families of the others that passed in that tragic crash. Very sad. pic.twitter.com/XHnAd7Xbdv
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) January 26, 2020
Carter’s Top League rival, former Wallabies centurion and Suntory Sungoliath playmaker Matt Giteau, also paid his respects to his 194,000 followers on Twitter.
“Such sad news to wake up to.. Kobe Bryant and his daughter dead,” Giteau wrote in one tweet.
“Life is just way too precious & can’t be taken for granted. Appreciate the ones we do have around & the blessings we do have.. This is just so so sad.”
Such sad news to wake up to.. Kobe Bryant and his daughter dead ? Life is just way too precious & can’t be taken for granted. Appreciate the ones we do have around & the blessings we do have.. This is just so so sad
— Matt Giteau ?? (@giteau_rugby) January 26, 2020
The 37-year-old followed that up with another post that was later re-tweeted by current All Blacks star Beauden Barrett, which read: “No point constantly planning for a future. We need to just live it now & enjoy what we really have. Awful way to regain perspective sometimes. This is just so sad”.
No point constantly planning for a future. We need to just live it now & enjoy what we really have. Awful way to regain perspective sometimes. This is just so sad ??
— Matt Giteau ?? (@giteau_rugby) January 26, 2020
New Toronto Wolfpack signing Sonny Bill Williams took to Instagram to commemorate Bryant’s life, posting an image of Kobe and Gianna captioned: “Hold on to your close ones. Tell them you love them. Tell them you forgive them. Remind them how important they are to you. Life’s precious and so is love.”
The cross-code convert’s former All Blacks teammates TJ Perenara and Lima Sopoaga both shared the same image as each other as they explained how Bryant sparked their passions for basketball and the Lakers.
“From making me fall in love with the game of Basketball to teaching me to fall in love with the relentless pursuit of mastering ones craft. You are and will always be an inspiration,” wrote Hurricanes co-captain Perenara.
Wasps pivot Sopoaga, meanwhile, simply wrote: “I became a Laker fan for life because of you”.
World Cup-winning Springboks playmaker Elton Jantjies added to the flow of tributes, posting a photo of Bryant, whose nickname was Black Mamba, to Twitter captioned: “G – RIP MAMBA #LEGENDARY”.
G – RIP MAMBA #LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/cwJzuUvGzb
— Elton jantjies (@jantjies_elton) January 27, 2020
In France, Irish speedster Simon Zebo was joined by Racing 92 teammate Teddy Thomas in acknowledging the life of Bryant.
“RIP G.O.A.T,” Zebo wrote in an Instagram post which features a young Bryant donning the iconic No. 8 jersey he wore in the early stages of his career.
French international Thomas uploaded a pair of photos – one of Bryant after he helped the Lakers claim the 2001 NBA title, and another of the star with Gianna – captioned: “THE REAL MAMBA #24”.
The hashtag of the number 24 is a nod to the equally iconic No. 24 jersey that Bryant wore in the second half of his career.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three daughters – the youngest of whom was born last June.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments