- The Washington Times - Tuesday, January 26, 2021

One year ago, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash in Southern California.

Bryant’s death impacted people far and wide, and there has been an outpouring of tributes Tuesday on the one-year anniversary of the NBA legend’s death. But those in the sporting community perhaps felt Bryant’s death most, and some of his former teammates and opponents — and admirers from further away — shared their thoughts.

Magic Johnson, whose Lakers career ended shortly before Bryant’s rise to Lakers fame began, shared a moment with Bryant on the Staples Center court before Bryant played his final game in 2016. And Tuesday, he wrote on Twitter that “Laker Nation we will always remember the brilliance, the legend, and the mamba mentality of #8/#24”.

Bruce Bowen, who played for the San Antonio Spurs for eight seasons, tweeted: “Sometimes we don’t realize how precious life is until those who raised the bar are no longer here. Make sure you give your BEST in all you do………Kobe did.”

Six-time NBA Champion Scottie Pippen always shared a note on Twitter, along with a video of he and Bryant at a basketball tournament.

“I’ll always wish I had one more conversation with Kobe,” Pippen wrote. “For all his greatness and everything he accomplished, his best days were still to come. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Kobe, Gianna, and all the others who were taken from us far too soon a year ago today.”

Bryant won five NBA titles and was an 18-time All-Star.

Other athletes, including J.J. Watt and Cooper Kupp of the NFL, shared in remembrances.

The Dallas Mavericks announced the franchise would retire No. 24, one of Bryant’s numbers.

• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.

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