What you need to know
- Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter accident in California.
- Bryant, 41, was one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
- People from the sports, entertainment, and several other spheres show their love and support for Bryant's friends and family.
On Sunday, at 41 years old, National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Kobe Bryant died alongside his 13-year old daughter, Gianna Bryant, in a shocking helicopter crash in California. Bryant represented a generation of NBA players and was the face of the game for years. His five NBA championships, multiple Olympic gold medals, and countless scoring records place him among the all-time greats of all sports. His death sent shockwaves throughout the sport and entertainment industries, which continue to mourn his loss and the loss of his daughter.
While a profoundly sad time, this is also a time to look back on and celebrate Bryant's greatness. He ascended beyond the NBA and beyond sport to become a cultural icon. Stories of his work ethic, justified cockiness, and relentless effort to become the best inspired a generation of players and people.
In remembrance of Kobe, we rounded up some resources to help celebrate an amazing athlete using your Windows PC and Xbox console.
Watch Kobe's final game
It's said that all great fighters have one great fight left in them. Bryant proved his greatness once again in his final game. Down 10 with just over three minutes left in the game, Bryant took over as only Kobe could. With each step down the court, Bryant's body gained momentum, his shots continued to fall, and the energy in the stadium and the fire inside the all-time great fueled each other. With 94 seconds left in the game, Kobe rested, hunched over and gasping as he brought the Lakers within 6. The lead was cut to just one at 59.7 seconds, as a timeout gave Bryant respite on the bench, cloaked in a towel during the closing minutes of his career. Kobe took the lead with a crossover to his right and a 23-foot jumper.
Bryant's legendary work ethic echoes accounts of him silently working alone in a gym. So it was only fitting that he pushed the final lead of his career with two free throws, alone, yet at the center of the sports world.
Study Kobe's life
As an elite athlete in the dawn of the media age, Bryant's life is well-documented. While there are many films and segments about Bryant, he said this particular documentary is not a film, referring it to instead as "therapy on film." Kobe Byant's Muse takes a look at all the angles of Bryant's life.
In the trailer above, Bryant states, "You can always kinda be average and just do what's normal. I'm not in this to do what's normal. It's a decision that you gotta make. If you wanna accomplish anything that's significant, you know, have a serious impact, you gotta make those sacrifices, you gotta make that choice."
Watch the NBA's tribute to Kobe
Several NBA games occurred following the tragic death of Bryant. Teams chose to honor Bryant, including the Raptors and Spurs electing to let the shot clock expire on each of their first possessions. The NBA shot clock counts down from 24 seconds, so the image of 24, Kobe's number for much of his career, counting down to zero gave players, coaches, broadcasters, and fans a chance to reflect on Kobe's life and legacy, even if just for a few moments before continuing on with the game. The game itself seemed to take a moment for Bryant as one game saw the first play of regulation have a ball bounced and get stuck on the backboard, resting still below the red lights that read "24."
Relive Kobe's evolution in NBA 2K
Kobe has been a playable character in every NBA2K game for decades. Even following his retirement, you could always elect to play as Kobe. YouTube channel, Video Games Evolution, put together a compilation of Bryant's various avatars throughout the history of 2K.
Add Kobe to your device
Sports wallpapers are always an excellent way to add a striking image to your PC, tablet, or phone. Many fans created wallpapers featuring Bryant, including understated text with a simple pose and streaking lights following an emphatic slam dunk. Here is a nice collection of wallpapers featuring Bryant.
How are you remembering Kobe Bryant?
Do you have additional ideas on how Windows, PC and Xbox users can remember and celebrate the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
