CLEVELAND — Kobe Bryant and the game of basketball.
The two were indelibly linked from Bryant’s earliest days, and more so as his career progressed, first at Lower Merion High School in suburban Philadelphia, and then, in a 20-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers in what, no doubt, will be a Hall of Fame career.
Upon his retirement, Bryant wrote a letter to the game he played intensely and loved so fiercely and shared it with the world on The Players’ Tribune, and his words of affirmation and relentless pursuit of the best served not only as an homage to basketball, but an inspiration to those who followed in his footsteps on the court.
“From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots in the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you,” Bryant wrote. “A love so deep, I gave you my all from my mind and body to my spirit and soul.
“I ran up and down every court, after every loose ball for you. You asked for my hustle, I gave you my heart because it came with so much more.”
Those words helped inspire the next generation of athletes.
When Bryant, along with eight others, including his daughter, Gianna, perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California Sunday, news hit hard in the sports, news and entertainment worlds, but it struck a particularly somber chord with those who were inspired by his competitive fire.
Several current and former players took to social media to share their memories and thank Bryant for his contributions to the game and inspiration during their careers.
In addition to individuals, several teams posted their memories and condolences.
Bryant’s untimely passing resonated with more than just the basketball world, as other sports stars and notable personalities shared their thoughts on the tragic loss of nine lives.
“Kobe, you were my idol…period,” Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield wrote. “Mentality through and through. Thank you. To your family, I wish y’all nothing but the very best. Prayers and thoughts with you don’t begin to describe what we want for y’all. Love and respect to #8 & #24 forever. #MambaMentality #Mamba.”
In 20 seasons with the Lakers, Bryant scored 33,643 points, pulled down 7,047 rebounds, handed out 6,306 assists, converted 44.7 percent of his 26,200 shots from the field and knocked down 1,827 three-pointers.
More than the numbers, Bryant’s success can be measured by the five championship teams he was a part of and the tireless work ethic and competitiveness, both on and off the court that led him to leave the game as the No. 3 scorer in league history.
Bryant left the game as a two-time NBA Finals MVP, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player, an 18-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, was selected to the All-NBA First Team 11 times and the NBA All-Defensive First Team on nine occasions.
Bryant was a two-time NBA scoring champion and winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1997.