Published 10:06 IST, January 27th 2020
Lakers fans create impromptu Kobe Bryant memorial as LA mourns death of NBA legend
Shockwaves were sent through the NBA world this past weekend as news of Kobe Bryant's death broke out. The Lakers legend was killed in a helicopter crash in LA.
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The city of Los Angeles plunged into a state of shock and despair this past weekend. Five-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All-Star and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday morning (Sunday night IST). The helicopter was carrying Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others. There were no survivors from the crash. The city of Los Angeles drowned in mourning on Sunday outside the home of Kobe Bryant's exploits - the Staples Center.
Kobe Bryant memorial: Bleeding city of Los Angeles creates memorial outside Staples Center
Kobe Bryant spent the entirety of his NBA career with the Lakers. The four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP enjoyed the swansong of his NBA career with a season-high 60 points against Utah Jazz, outscoring the entire Jazz team in Q4 of the game. Lakers fans gathered outside Staples Center on Sunday to mourn the death of the Lakers legend. Fans carried huge portraits of Kobe Bryant, while monitors outside the Staples Center flashed pictures in tribute of the fallen Lakers legend.
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Ernest Washington, 59-year-old artist, came to the memorial with a sketch he had drawn of Bryant and had fans sign his poster. He said he would never forget #kobeBryant scoring 81 points on his birthday. pic.twitter.com/mfGWOEQFrD
— Sam Levin (@SamTLevin) January 27, 2020
Flowers being set up at LA Live for Kobe Bryant
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) January 26, 2020
The Grammys are at Staples Center tonight, so plaza in front is blocked off. Dozens already beginning to gather here pic.twitter.com/6gHUVwGphB
Fans took to placing flowers outside the Staples Center. A sort of impromptu Kobe Bryant memorial, therefore, was created as the city of Los Angeles tried to get to grips with the shocking news. A number of NBA players, both current and former voiced their sorrow as they joined in the mourning. Kobe Bryant's death did not just send shockwaves across the NBA world but also had a far-reaching effect on other sports. The Lakers legend ended his career as the fourth leading scorer in NBA history. He will always be remembered for dominating the NBA, both on and off the court, in the Purple and Gold of the Lakers.
So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend💔 pic.twitter.com/qKb3oiDHxH
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 26, 2020
10:06 IST, January 27th 2020