[custom_adv] The death of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash Sunday has rocked the sports world, and tributes have poured in from across the NBA.One of the most moving remembrances of the late Los Angeles Lakers superstar came from another L.A. legend, Jerry West. "The Logo" forged a Hall of Fame career with the Lakers before becoming the team's general manager, and he brought Bryant to Los Angeles in a 1996 trade. [custom_adv] Speaking with Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan and Tom Rinaldi on an ABC/ESPN special, West reflected on his relationship with the late star and his impact on the game and beyond.West began by talking about serving as a "surrogate father" for Bryant, which involved helping the straight-out-of-high-school prospect adjust to life in the NBA, before delving into the hurt he was feeling. [custom_adv] "One of the worst days of my life. The only thing I can compare it to is I had a brother killed in Korea. I'm just devastated by this news," West said.West then discussed Bryant's transition from the NBA to a successful post-basketball life and his love for his family. "This was a man for all seasons," West said. "He was more than an iconic basketball player. He was someone who inspired millions of fans. Not here in this state, not here in the United States – all over the world... [custom_adv] The crash comes one day after Bryant was passed by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. As late as 10:39 p.m. ET Saturday, Bryant was active on social media, congratulating James on Twitter during the Lakers' 108-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. [custom_adv] Bryant and his daughter were reportedly on their way to a travel basketball game with another player and parent. ABC, ESPN, the L.A. Times and Variety also confirmed Bryant was on the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. The City of Calabasas officially confirmed it as well. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating. [custom_adv] He was 17 when he was selected with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets before being traded to the Lakers. He went on to become the Lakers' franchise leader in points, games played, three-pointers, steals and free throws. [custom_adv] One of his most iconic games was an 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, which ranks as the second-most points scored in an NBA game, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 on March 2, 1962. Bryant scored 60 points in his final game when the Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101–96 on April 13, 2016. [custom_adv] On Saturday night, LeBron James surpassed Bryant on the NBA's all-time scoring list. After the game, James expressed his appreciation of Bryant and said, "I'm happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. [custom_adv] Kobe Bean Bryant (August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, Bryant played his entire 20-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. [custom_adv] 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). [custom_adv] Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he 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. Bryant was the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons.
