Jerry West sat in his Westside home, listening to the downpour and wind pounding Southern California. His thoughts drifted to memories of Kobe Bryant’s development.
When a reporter called to ask him about his thoughts regarding Bryant’s statue being unveiled on Thursday outside Crypto.com Arena in what West says will be an emotional ceremony, the bad weather on this Monday afternoon put him in a depressing mood.
On January 26, 2020, Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people perished in a helicopter crash. West mentioned that thought at the moment because Bryant was going to receive one of the greatest accolades in sports.
Along with other Lakers legends Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Elgin Baylor, and Chick Hearn, West is also honored with a statue outside the arena.
Bryant will now become a member of this elite Lakers group.
West, the general manager of the Lakers who signed Bryant, said, “Well, I think it was a Sunday when his helicopter crashed, and I look outside [on Monday] and it’s raining and gray looking, very much like that day, except for the rain.” You know, for someone who died so suddenly, his name appears in the papers quite a bit. I also don’t think about that aspect of it. I just think back on the intimate details I witnessed.
“Just considering, we’re going to honor [him] this Thursday… I’m so happy they’re taking this on.
When the game typically called for a veteran, 18-year-old rookie Bryant showed no fear, according to West’s memories.
“I recall how he turned into a basketball player, possibly as a result of the Utah series, which many would view as a failure,” West remarked. “This guy is not afraid,” I thought to myself when I watched him airball two, three, or four shots during that game. For him, this will be the changing of the guard. He was already competent. He simply lacked experience, though. His career just took off after that.
Bryant transitioned from an iconic player to a successful businessman with ease later in life.
He supported women’s basketball, and Gianna shared her father’s enthusiasm for the sport.
Just a handful of the attributes that West found admirable in Bryant.
“He embodied the best qualities for all athletes, so his life was going to be as successful off the court as it was on it,” West predicted. “He had a broad skill set. I believe it was simply his ability to redirect his career in order to support women’s basketball and provide opportunities for them in other domains. Observing the progression of all this while he was still alive, I thought to myself, that certainly shows what kind of person he is as well.
Occasionally, when I think back on those times, I can still see the huge smile on his face.
He remarked, “I’m just staring at a picture of him and his daughter.” I keep it in front of me in a small spot. It’s something I witness every day. He is seated on the ground, and she is nestled close to him. Sometimes I’m not sure what love is exactly. When you care deeply, I know it. For some people, I believe the hardest thing is to even show that portion of it. However, I found the pair of them together to be extremely special. Just the fact that he’s gone is tragic. It’s heartbreaking.
