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ByRob Mason, PSO President of Sports Operations Jan 27, 2020
‘The Best in Sports’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the best highlights, facts, and stories going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened yesterday here.
In what might be the most monumental tragic death of the 21st century, Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna passed away after a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, California. The NBA had 8 games scheduled, and couldn’t cancel them, so every team took a 8-second backcourt or 24-second shot clock violation in honor of Kobe Bryant, who’s #8 AND #24 jerseys are immortalized in the Staples Center.
The New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden pay tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. pic.twitter.com/KmNlTlDQXT
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics started the game by each taking 24-second shot-clock violations in honor of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/AA3ntFpLtc
Trae was one of the young stars Kobe was starting to build a relationship with. Young honored Bryant by wearing his old #8 jersey, and proceeding to have one of the best games of his young career.
Trae Young pays tribute to Kobe Bryant by wearing No. 8 to start the game, and then leads the @ATLHawks to victory with 45 PTS and 14 AST. pic.twitter.com/FHzRcCzeqn
Trae Young is the first player to have a 45-point double-double with under 25 field goal attempts against the Washington Wizards, since Kobe Bryant on December 17, 2006. pic.twitter.com/xHFewuzb7Z
NBA legends, superstars, and icons showed their love for the immortalized Mamba.
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA@NBA@espn@SLAMonlinepic.twitter.com/Ll0BD6VWgr
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
None of this feels real. It was so hard to walk out on the field & play football today. Had a lot of tears. A man I watched every single day growing up is gone. I don’t even know how to deal with this. I’m praying for everyone, especially the Bryant family. This is devastating. pic.twitter.com/2gRTcw9V3a
Kobe’s impact went far beyond the game of basketball, or even sports, but as a sports website, here are the best highlights from the legend’s iconic NBA career.
Tyler Glasnow had a 33.6% putaway rate on his curveball in 2019. In other words, when he threw a 2-strike curveball, it resulted in a strikeout just over a third of the time.
That's 1 of the pitches that made this list: the best pitches by type in 2019:https://t.co/R8WoTgdm2z
#PlayerOfTheDay 1/26: PG Damian Lillard (POR) [FACTS TO KNOW] – 4th player ever w/ 158+ points over a 3-game stretch – 1st Blazer w/ 40+ points in 3 straight games – 1st Blazer w/ 3 50pt games in a single-season – More career 50pt games than all other POR combined https://t.co/PTiUb7A8ck
• 5x Champ • 2x Finals MVP • 2008 MVP • 18x All-Star • 15x All-NBA • 12x All-Defense • 2x Scoring champ • 1st in points, games, wins in Lakers history (regular season & playoffs) • Only player with 2 numbers retired for the same team pic.twitter.com/9HnTAiMcra