Kobe Bean Bryant: August 23, 1978 - January 26, 2020

He was one of the greatest to ever play the game. In the mid-1990's, he burst onto the scene at Lower Merion High in the Philadelphia area. He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. Bryant was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Kobe led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, ranks fourth on the league's all-time regular season scoring, and ranks fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list.

When Kobe declared he would skip college, it was major news. When the Charlotte Hornets drafted him and traded him for Vlade Divac, lots of people thought the Hornets made the right decision. Time would prove otherwise. I was in my 20's then, a recent college graduate who loved the game and still played 3-4 nights a week. I drove around with a change of clothes and a basketball rattling in my car trunk. You never knew when you'd happen upon a pick-up game. Kobe imitators were everywhere, as his seemingly effortless moves inspired a rising generation of players. He struck me as a blend of George Gervin / Dr. J / Michael Jordan, and everyone soon argued about whether he could be as good as MJ. Years went by and Kobe showed his greatness. Soon the debate moved to Kobe v. Lebron.

The debates will continue, for as long as there are sports, every generation will claim their heroes supreme. For the time being, we mourn the tragic loss of a legend and pray for his family and the families of those we died in the helicopter accident yesterday. Kobe Bryant is a player for all generations.

R.I.P. Kobe. Your place among the best of the best to ever lace 'em up is secure.