I’ll always have a respectful hate for the Lakers and Kobe, but that’s just basketball. The person and family is all that matters, and it’s devastating.
We often hear talk of the " NBA Family".... We, as fans, are indeed a part of that. This is why I refrain from emotional name calling and "hating" players or coaches. In the end, we do care.
There are reports that Tyson Chandler just started sobbing on the Rockets bench and had to leave the court.
OMFG, ESPN just showed the crash scene. That was fucking brutal but the brush fire would have made no difference in saving anyone.
My reaction was actually that I feel like I have lived a full life. I am 44 years old. I didn't have the millions and fame that Kobe has, but I outlived him and I feel that I have friends and family that I have meaningful relationships with and that bring me joy. I am sad for his family, but if anything I just felt joy for my own life. Maybe that's an odd reaction to have. But we all have to go some time. Even if you are Kobe. Do the best you can with the time you have.
As another poster said it's amazing how someone that you disliked so much while playing against your rival team can impact you so much when you hear something like this. I could always respect his skills and I hope all those affected can rest in peace.
I loathed him as player and person. But I remember once talking about the difference between "sports hate" and real hate. However much I loathed him and I used him as the example, I would not want to see him starved and tortured, his wife raped, his children dying, etc. Because I am a humanist and even a Laker is a human. Let us also remember apparently four others killed. All of equal value.
If I'm Vanessa Bryant, I am so mad at my husband for insisting on flying our daughter in a fucking helicopter to go to fucking practice. If Kobe had survived but not their daughter, I don't think it would've been possible to forgive him. And imagine being the parents of the other player, probably a friend of their daughter's.