In the aftermath of the shocking death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, it is fitting to remember what a superlative basketball career he had.
Without question, he was one of the greatest players to wear a Lakers uniform. But also in retirement, his greatness as a man shined through his community leadership and his efforts at aiding children through positive story-telling.
As a player, Kobe was magnificent. He captured the hearts of both Lakers executives and LA sports fans, beginning with the time prior to the 1996 draft when Jerry West was blown away by the teenager’s workout for the Lakers and continuing up to the night in 2017 when the Lakers retired Bryant’s numbers 8 and 24 jerseys at Staples Center and Magic Johnson called him the greatest to wear the purple and gold.