RIP, Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) | The Bill Simmons Podcast | The Ringer 

It’s crazy how Bill Russell and Kareem outlived Kobe 😔😥

I cried to my wife like a baby Not only because of Kobe Because of the Little girls that Died 😢 I was born 1995.... All I know is Kobe

I grew up in Croatia in the 90s and I just slightly remember the collective sadness when Drazen Petrovic died. He was our basketball god. Now I finally somewhat understand how my homeland felt or how Brazil felt when Ayrton Senna died. Life just sucks sometimes and we never learn to really appreciate the good times until they’re gone :(

I'm a ROCKETS fan and even when Kobe would burn us I still loved his game. RIP MAMBA you will be missed. #8#24

He maximized his abilities. His drive and passion made him who he is. He could have been JR Ryder or some guy who scored 35 every now and then but his drive was next level. He maximized his abilities and opportunities. He wanted it more than almost anyone. Lebron’a greatness is ability, diversity, and looseness with how driven he is. This is no comparison ... They’re both amazing. In this generation ... Kobe was a 2 guard out of high school that had to work for everything. As explosive as he was he worked for everything and played hard. To repair his marriage, his love for being a dad, and lately how he’s leading in the youth now and translating with them .... he was needed, is still needed, and this is a great loss. We are all flawed and make mistakes, it happens, Kobe grew up in front of us and figured life out in front of your eyes. Crazy

Kobe was so indestructible and fiercely competitive as an athlete it's hard to conceive of him dying young. He had so much more to give the world including his daughter and the future he was molding for her. I'm a Celtics fan but I have always respected his fire. Godspeed.

Hours later, I'm still in shock and disbelief. I opened my RU-vid app and saw thumbnails of Kobe Bryant with 1978-2020 and didn't believe my eyes. I still don't want to believe it.

The greatest footwork and work ethic of any nba player ever. He was my era’s icon and I’m so sad he couldn’t be my icon through my old age

The more you think about it, the more it's just wrong. It's just impossible to process.

Imagining Kobe holding Gigi for the last time before the heli crashed, telling her not to panic and stay strong.. Man.. It gets me in tears. 😭

Damn Dwight was trying to get Kobe to be with him during the dunk contest.. I would've loved to see that..

My favorite Kobe memory is the 2012 Olympics, when the entire team turned towards him to finish and close against Spain. Not the current MVP Lebron, not Wade, not Durant. It was the ultimate respect.

RIP Mamba, Gigi, and the Altobelli’s 😪 you will be in my prayers tonight 🙏🏻

Thankful I got to see him play. He's the closest anyone ever got to emulating Jordan's style and mentality.

Kobe is the greatest Laker ever. To me it’s not even close. 🙏🏻 I used to buy the League Pass for years just to watch Kobe.

Just watched him on All Da Smoke a few days ago. It's crazy how we dont really know these guys but we feel like we do because we watch them grow up right before our eyes. It doesnt even feel real, and Gigi too. Just too sad. May God have mercy on them.

Class act Bill. Love him or hate him in life, we're all missing and mourning him in death. Basketball will never be the same.

He was the reason that made me love basketball. His name will always be remembered. RIP. 💔

Kobe was the guy people loved to hate, but could never deny his level of talent and work ethic.

Cried all day.

I have the weirdest feeling. My head keeps saying, "...hold on...this doesn't make any sense...". Every time I see a story talking about Kobe's death, I think to myself, "...what? Kobe's dead?...". It just won't sink in. (by the way, the biggest sports related shocks of my life are: 1. The Israeli Olympic athletes being kidnapped and murdered in Munich in 1972. 2. Hank Gathers dying on court.

R.I.P to my Goat!!! I always said Kobe was my favorite player ever

This is, without a doubt, the saddest days in the history of the NBA. Not only because we lost one of the most iconic legends in the game, as well as his 13 year old daughter, but also due to the pure unexpectedness of this. Yesterday we were talking about LeBron passing Kobe in all time points, and today Kobe is gone. RIP Mamba

A true punch in the gut. Today I shed tears over someone I never met but meant so much to me. A hero to a whole generation. All condolences to his beautiful family, truly heart broken how it had to end. You left everyone that loves you but the legend of Kobe Bryant will live on.

11 months later and this is still gut wrenching and horribly sad. The world misses Kobe

"In the moment of our talking, envious time has ebb'd away. Seize the present; trust tomorrow e'en as little as you may." R.I.P Kobe

I’m a life long Suns fan so when Kobe was a player I hated him. But I respect how great he was. Pretty unfair everyone talks about MJ and Lebron and Kobe was never in the conversation . He was one of the best players of all time hands down. Very sad about the lives lost from that accident.

Thank you to Bill Simmons for stating what some in the media do not want to give to Kobe... that he is one of the top 10 players ever. That, coming from a die-hard Celtic, is immense. Much respect. At times like this, people with heart, no matter where they are from, put differences aside and pay homage one of the best to ever do it.

Kobe's death will always feel like a bad nightmare,where you eventually wake up and be in shock of what you just saw and how real it felt.

This moved me, Bill. At the end of 2020, I’m broken, we’re broken and to get to hear this as one of my podcast finales, so to speak; you killed it. I hated your Celtics stance in 08, 09, and 10. But, in all sincerity, you’ve kept it real throughout this time. And to share this, well...this moment encompasses your love for basketball, thank you.

This just feels like a nightmare. I feel numb.

This was solid, Bill. I'd love to see a longer, proper one in the future for sure! Thanks for this; it took the edge off the pain.

The content you create brings joy to my life. Thank you most especially on this day.

I lost my favorite athlete ever today!!

Kobe was the older brother of my generation that taught us hard work, focus, how to compete... hard to imagine he’s gone... as a father, I’m devastated to imagine... I am so grateful to his life and all that I was able to extract from it.

Im here in the valley L.A. feel like we lost a native son

Man everyone hug someone close man you never know when they or you will be gone 😢 Rip Mamba

The only thing i can compare this to is Roberto Clemente, and i only knew about him because i wrote a report in high school about him. Unless you were alive in the 60’s and 70’s you prolly dont know Roberto Clemente, but he was an icon and hero to all Latin and Carribean ppl across the globe, was an unbelievable talent and winner in baseball and similarly died in a plane crash at the way too young age of 38, while delivering food and water to earthquake victims in Nicoragua. It was a such a shock and tragedy to the sports world and the Latin/Carribean community around the world especially since he always served people in need, it was devastating cuz he meant so much to ppl and MLB gives an annual award in his name to honor the player who makes the most difference in his community. Kobe’s passing reminds me of Roberto, only differnce is in this age of social media, Kobe was a global superstar, Roberto wouldve been the same but it was a different era back then. Such tragedies, life just isnt fair.

listening to you guys talk about all his career highlights brings back so many memories and has been a joy. It really is crazy that I remember a time before the internet was as big as it is today and Kobe was there starting out his career. And he played through the days of the growing internet and star of youtube, and having his highlights and tribute compilations during the 2000s, and then the 2010s when he was older but still a top player in the league and teaching the younger stars how to win. Kobe has been a big part of my life and it was really great remembering him with you guys.

Thanks for doing this on a hard day Bill appreciate you getting out your thoughts

One of the things we often do as people is make “comparisons” and play the “is this guy better than this” ... it takes away from how great of an accomplished athlete as a person these guys are. Would’ve loved to see him be in his 50’s .. see what else he can offer the game, media, and opportunities for other athletes.

Fairest way to cherish and put his legacy into perspective. I wasn’t a Kobe fan, but his growth to becoming a more graceful and gracious person after maturing and winning so much, obsessing over winning was quite the life story. He’s left pieces of himself teaching and sharing what he knew to others as time went on.

thanks for doing this bill & chris

If you ever felt the urge to watch old basketball highlights, Kobe Bryant highlights would always be the first to come to mind. A great entertainer and competitor. RIP.

Heartbreaking.

He meant everything about my basketball career. And he was a great inspiration for me. RIP

Gone but his legacy will never be forgotten, he was bigger than basketball... such a tragic loss of his life and his daughter, still can’t believe it

I was in the basement working out with my 14 year old son when my wife told me. It was gut wrenching hearing the news. My son plays 2k and knows Kobe but didn't see him in his prime. Seeing Kobe with his kids inspired me to be a better father. Rip Kobe.

I remember Kobe getting his finger getting popped back in on the sidelines. Tough as nails. I was convinced he would survive the crash. Rip Kobe 😥

RIP Kobe..Thank you Bill.

Thank you for the memories Kobe we will never forget you lakers forever.

So there were some very eerie stats that occurred tonight in the NBA. Trae Young and Devin Booker both took 24 shots. Both players made a combined number of 24 field goals and 8 rebounds. Trae also hit 81% of his ft's. Trae Young is also the first player to have a 45 point double double with under 25 field goal attempts against the Wizards since Kobe on Dec. 17, 2006. Edit: Forgot to mention that Trae Young and Devin Booker also combined for 81 points. And for you Bill, the Celtics made 8 threes and went 24% from deep.

I feel that my being sad makes no sense. I never met the man. But my emotions are affected. What a man! A legend! RIP.

This was the only good commentary I've heard so far. A lot of these RU-vid videos aren't very good because they're too raw and unfortunately, they end up rambling in their grief. You two did a good job. Sad, but still concise in your presentation.

I remember learning this in real time on the radio in Salt Lake County Jail. Hadn’t even confirmed it was Kobe when the story broke. It was a terrible feeling, I think we were all so excited to see the next chapter.

So sad. I feel like I grew up with Kobe. Same age, Lakers fan, mistakes made, maturation, fatherhood, and finally a meaningful 2nd career (I started medical school at 41 after 22 years in the military). It's weird to mourn someone so heavily and he is not family. RIP Kobe, Gigi, and the 7 other lost lives.

Four years later and you can still feel his absence

Tough to express the shock I felt seeing the news... Kobe was such a relentless competitor, he was always tenacious, and willing to work harder than his opposition regardless of who he was facing. After basketball, he had applied the same type of tenacity to pave his own path. I thought he would've lived to be 100+, because of his pure hunger and thirst for life and success... absolutely unwilling to give up on his goals or passions, much less on his life. He will be missed. Such an awful day for us all.

This is the most shocking event I can think of since 9/11. Feels unreal.

His legacy will never die. He's done so much for his community too. Mamba mentality.

I was born in 2000 so I’m a pretty young guy, I wasn’t alive for Hank Gathers or Len Bias. This is easily the hardest day I’ve ever been apart of from the sports world. I somewhat remember Sean Taylor passing away tragically when I was about 8, and that was the one that stuck with me the most up until now. My whole world stopped when I found out and I didn’t and still don’t want to believe one of the greatest players in the game who had and was going to do so much more then basketball passed. I was too young to fully appreciate prime Kobe’s career and I won’t sit here and say he was necessarily one of my favorites ( Drose Lebron and Russ were the ones I truly fell in love with in the beginning). But to say I didn’t respect how he approached the game and the mentality he brought would be an understatement. I was always an undersized guy playing basketball but Kobe just made me want to be great and push those around me to be great. I love you Kobe Bean Bryant. U impacted a kid from PA more then u could imagine just like millions of others around the world. Rest in paradise along with Gianna and the other lives lost today.

R.I.P Kobe. Gone but never forgotten....On a twisted side note I went on twitter to kobe's last post thinking I would be cheered up and learned that our society is full of full fledged sociopaths. Now I remember why I quit social media....Prayers for Kobe's family and I hope they stay off social media.

I’m 51 and I had the same sickening feeling when Len Bias died . Today was terrible because his poor daughter lost her life too. I’m happy that they were together in that tragedy. Rest In Peace to all those that were lost today. I really was looking forward to seeing what he was going to do with his life going forward.

As a lifelong Rockets fan (and a huge Tim Duncan fan), I was NEVER a Kobe fan. I hated the Lakers and I despised Kobe Bryant and Shaq most of all. But Kobe represented an era and mentality of basketball that I grew up watching. He was a part of my life for 20 years. So even though I wasn’t a fan, I always respected his competitive drive and greatness. Sad day for the families of those affected after the events of today.

You know a lot of times people write fake condolences when something like this happen,suddenly they become fans etc but i have the feeling that people are united under this tragic death,one good thing less in this World.Nobody is writting shit like he was flawless,only what he meant for the fans of this sport,and you know people like him create hope in someones life to reach a new horizon,to become better(in everything you do) and you believe you could do it,because one before you did it.People like him are important for the world and we lost on of them.But at least we are united in grief,haven't seen so much real emotions for a while.

Kobe was my hero. Watch his videos before every game. I’m 25 he is my Jordan

Still doesn’t feel real

I guess the second hardest part of all this is it feels like I can't escape the grieving. As a podcast fan I now sadly expect all my podcast to address it in some way which will be a constant reminder..😔😔😥😥

Kobe is Top fucking 5. Shit. It’s him and Mike in fact. Put respect on his name man.

Within 5-10 years Kobe was trying to become a part owner of the Lakers, thus his higher profile at Laker games and withtin the Organization and with Palenka this past summer.... So Sad. Life is fleeting my friends, seize the moment. RIP to all the victims of the helicopter crash and condolences and prayers to all their family and friends.....

I just realized we will never get to see another Detail episode

Just stunned. I’m hooping with friends and I get a text and I look and the screen just says “Kobe Died”, and I stop playing and go to google and This is when it’s not confirmed and I’m like man this just a hoax. As time passes it gets confirmed and I’m just like fuck. Then you start hearing that his whole family was there, or rick fox or who ever and then the truth come out that his daughter was there and they were on their way to her basketball game/practice and that just gets me.

R.I.P - KOBE & GiGi and the other 7🙏🏽

RIP Kobe

All the other Laker Goats submit to Kobe as the Laker Goat. He’s a top 2 for fucks sake.

Still can't believe it. Kobe Bryant. Dead at 41. KOBE Bryant. The fuckin Mamba. Dead at 41. Survived by his three daughters and wife. It's going to take a while for this to really sink in.

sometimes the things we care the most can only stay in our heart but not in our lives. Manba mentality will always stay in our hearts

RIP Mamba This is crazy sad

Why am I reliving this for the 14379247th time

The only athlete I idolized more than Kobe growing up in St. Louis was Albert Pujols. If he were to pass away I'd be just as devastated, however I know that Kobe's impact on the world as a whole is so great that the empathy I feel towards everyone in this situation makes it that much worse

Rip , mamba n Gianna.....😥💯 For the memories!

Legend

Kobe’s legacy will never die RIP 🙏

Kobe was that closest thing that will ever see to Michael Jordan.

The greatest ever. 24 forever.

Kobe Forever

The worst tragedy in sports ever. Not hyperbole. Ever.

worst day in sports. RIP Kob

If Bostonians want to relate imagine if you woke up Tomorrow and Tom Brady was gone. That’s how Lakers fans feel right now.

RIP

Its fucking insane this was 4 years ago

i was in a pro wrestling chatroom when people started typing rip kobe on the day he died. i'm like what the hell is going on and check espn and found out he actually died. i couldn't believe it.

If y'all want goosebumps. Watch the beginning of the Spurs v Raptors game. Raps start the game and dribble out the 24 shot clock. The Spurs get the ball and dribble out the 24 shot clock. Raps get the ball and the game truly starts. Lowry, who is from Kobe's hometown of Philly, takes the first shot of the game, It kicks off the rim way up in the air and lodges itself on the top of the backboard resting directly in front of the 24 second shot clock. Undoubtedly the most spooky, spiritual, poignant moment we will ever see in the history of basketball.

BYNUM & ARIZA were both injured in the 2008 NBA Finals. Bill with his constant Celtic selective memory disease

KOBE FOREVER 🐍♾

nice vid

Feels man. This guy and Tom Brady are my heroes.

RIP Mamba

Rest In Power to one of the best 🏀 players of all time

I don't fuck with you bill but man thanks for this 💔 i lost my goat and this brings my joy