Kobe Bryant Discussion, Part Two

[alienswon]

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[atlantabbq99]

i left out some snippets because i couldnt understand/hear it

i went back to hear it

Question RE: the grounding of Sheriff's helicopters;
NTSB Investigator: "it is an apples to oranges comparison; it's a different helicopter; different operations (4 person helicopters). This [Kobe's copter] is outfitted for more than that. So we have to look at this specific crash." (my interpretation: "were not going to be baited into saying this or that" their aim is to be as objective as possible.

Question: How common it is for a pilot to request to fly under special visual flight rules?
NTSB Investigator: "it is very common. This is not out of the ordinary"


more on that Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS)
-reporters tried to bait if this would have prevented the accident; she says there are other variables that are still unknown
-again these investigators are trained to avoid concluding on speculation

At the end of the day, the pilot is the one to blame because that his is job and his responsibility, but I use to work in a private airport and I can tell you that the vast majority of pilots are okay with being grounded and will never insist in flying in bad weather. Vast majority of pilots are lazy and do not want to take on the extra work and stress in flying in bad weather.

What most likely happen is this... The pilot got the bad weather call and was informed he would be grounded, the pilot then informed his passengers of the grounding. A passenger probably got upset and asked or demanded the pilot fly in the bad weather because passengers have to stay on there schedule. There could have been an argument or education from the pilot, but in any regards, the pilot agreed to ask for special permission form authorities to fly in bad weather. This type of exchange happens all the time in private airports.

With that said, life is not black and white but grey and I can't feel any ill will toward the pilot.

I appreciate your insight but I think you need to restrain from saying 'most likely scenario.' Just a thought man, I have no doubt you worked at an airport but it's kind of crazy to suggest any theories at this point

You make a good point, you are right and I'll take your criticism to heart. But what we all learn alot from what happen, like not taking life for granted and to always appreciate the days we have. But what I hope that we can also learn from this, is the next time we are at the airport and a flight is delayed or canceled is to not complain and actually appreciate the people who are helping you travel and they are taking the extra time to make sure you and family are safe.

[karkinos]

still hurting. unreal.

[azcatz11]

At the end of the day, the pilot is the one to blame because that his is job and his responsibility, but I use to work in a private airport and I can tell you that the vast majority of pilots are okay with being grounded and will never insist in flying in bad weather. Vast majority of pilots are lazy and do not want to take on the extra work and stress in flying in bad weather.

What most likely happen is this... The pilot got the bad weather call and was informed he would be grounded, the pilot then informed his passengers of the grounding. A passenger probably got upset and asked or demanded the pilot fly in the bad weather because passengers have to stay on there schedule. There could have been an argument or education from the pilot, but in any regards, the pilot agreed to ask for special permission form authorities to fly in bad weather. This type of exchange happens all the time in private airports.

With that said, life is not black and white but grey and I can't feel any ill will toward the pilot.

I appreciate your insight but I think you need to restrain from saying 'most likely scenario.' Just a thought man, I have no doubt you worked at an airport but it's kind of crazy to suggest any theories at this point

You make a good point, you are right and I'll take your criticism to heart. But what we all learn alot from what happen, like not taking life for granted and to always appreciate the days we have. But what I hope that we can also learn from this, is the next time we are at the airport and a flight is delayed or canceled is to not complain and actually appreciate the people who are helping you travel and they are taking the extra time to make sure you and family are safe.

I honestly couldn't agree more. 2 hour delay is not worth your life. We've all been there. My only point is not to speculate that Kobe was insisting on taking off in unsafe conditions and Ara relented. Air traffic needs some accountability here also IMO

[Bucketz_McGee]

I know at this point this will be lost in the 1000's of responses but I need a place to say something, so thank you for those who read this.

I grew up with the Kobe. I may have been 7 years old but I remember the excitement about Shaq signing with the Lakers and this new kid getting drafted. My brothers, myself, and my father wound up watching every single game from then on. It became a tradition that we never broke. I remember all of the titles. I remember all of the loses. I remember all of the comebacks. And most of all, I remember Kobe. He became so important to all four us as we all shared this bond. Kobe was at the center of that bond.

We talked about him non-stop. Always debating his ever-rising spot on the list of greats, how he would do in other eras of the game, and what his career would eventually amount to. Every game we would make comparisons to his opponents and every game we would watched in awe at his skill. We screamed after every game winner; celebrated and relished in OUR victory. But we also held our heads in our hands with every loss, already thinking of the next game.

Even after I moved out of my childhood house and started a family of my own, our tradition continued. Lakers game at mom and dads. Then came his last game, a culmination of 20 years sweat and blood, and 20 years of my bond with my brothers and father. I made the 1 hour drive and took my spot on the couch. We all relived every magical moment we spent with Kobe and watched as the young kid we saw all those years ago put every last ounce of effort and love on the court. We all teared up as the buzzer sounded knowing this was the last time our tradition was to be observed.

Thank you Kobe for giving all us something to hope for, something to strive for. Thank you for being such a force that touched millions of people far beyond the basketball court.

[John Murdoch]

How about that story Wade told of Kobe calling during the 2010 finals to ask advice on how to deal with Boston's pick and roll defense.

Wow.

was more curious as to why he was calling from an unknown number..unless they just never added contacts for eachother before then

[SuperSunsFan]

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[Tracymcgoaty]

Kobe like Bruce Lee will forever be immortalized. As the years go we'll start hearing infamous stories on Kobe's duels with the infamous Boston Celtics the 81 pt game..three peat etc..These stories will live on forever and be passed on generations. Kobe reminds me of Bruce Lee more than anyone else to be honest. Bruce Lee was more than a fighter..He was a philosopher, an innovator. Kobe like him was the same. Always strive to become better than you were yesterday. Always adapt to any situation you're in. I dont think it's a coincidence Kobe made these shoes in memory of Bruce Lee. They both had an almost insane like work ethic to their craft. In that way they both are molded together to become one. Nobody will ever forget Bruce..Nobody will ever forget Kobe.

[alienswon]

Kobe like Bruce Lee will forever be immortalized. As the years go we'll start hearing infamous stories on Kobe's duels with the infamous Boston Celtics the 81 pt game..three peat etc..These stories will live on forever and be passed on generations. Kobe reminds me of Bruce Lee more than anyone else to be honest. Bruce Lee was more than a fighter..He was a philosopher, an innovator. Kobe like him was the same. Always strive to become better than you were yesterday. Always adapt to any situation you're in. I dont think it's a coincidence Kobe made these shoes in memory of Bruce Lee. They both had an almost insane like work ethic to their craft. In that way they both are molded together to become one. Nobody will ever forget Bruce..Nobody will ever forget Kobe.

i had this exact same thought earlier today; comparing him to Bruce Lee where 20 to 30 years from now people will remember him more for his "work-hard" principles and philosophies.

[Dr Aki]

The guy in the white shirt in this iconic picture made a Facebook post that's been translated.

Hi kid,

I'm the guy in the white jersey in this picture, and it took me two days to process what has happened.

Hi kid, I was saying... To me you will forever be that nice kid at the Piattelli Trophy in Montecatini Terme in 1989: a scrawny kid with the longest legs, with lively eyes and a smile that would have, later, charmed not only basketball but the world as a whole. 

A kid that one night, thirthy years ago, did something unique and unrepeatable: step on the court alongside your father "Billy Joe", with the "grown-ups" during the Finals of a summer tournament, with his jersey down to his knees and the shamelessness of Champions, even if you were only eleven. You tried to leave a mark on the game, to be a protagonist and not just an extra, like you would have done later and for the rest of your career.

The Finals of a summer tournament, probably one of the most important tournaments at the time, played in Montecatini during the best years of basketball in Tuscany; on the court there were only adult players, from Serie A, Serie B, Serie C and Serie D; from Montecatini, Pistoia, Livorno, Siena and Florence: nobody wanted to lose, it was serious business...

Matters of local rivalries and honor, "italian suburbs" stuff, but feelings and emotions that you would have brought, with your immense talent, to basketball overseas. 

"A kid on the court, how cute!", was the thought of the 1,000 people on the stands, among them your mother, that looks at you, entranced. 

"A kid on the court, what a bore!", the athletes thought. 

"What am I supposed to do now?", the thought of the man that had to guard you. 

And that man, for better or for worse, was me, a mediocre player from the lower Tuscan divisions. 

The kid catches the ball... And I tell myself "don't move, don't do anything... It's a kid!"

The kid shoots from 3... Nothing but net, the crowd goes wild, my teammates show signs of disapproval.

On the next play, the kid gets the ball again... I think "get closer, but don't raise your arms... It's a kid!"

The kid, careless, shoots again from 3... and he scores again! The crowd shouts again, my mates grumble again, my coach that didn't want to lose (nobody did) calls a timeout and demands me to defend. 

We get back on the court. 

Again the kid has the ball.

The whole arena wants the kid to shoot. And cheers him. 

All my teammates want me to defend. And shout "don't let him shoot!"

"F- me" I think "what should I do now?"

I get closer to the kid and with my eyes I try to tell him "don't do it, please"

No chance, he's got only sheer determination in his eyes (was the mamba mentality already there?)

The crowd is out of their minds: shoot! Shoot again!

I raise my arms without even looking at the kid.

As reckless as before, he takes the ball, bigger and heavier than him, and shoots it.

Unintentionally and inevitably, I block the shot: what's his mother going to think about me?

The arena screams disappointed at me, my mates keep on playing like nothing ever happened...

I start laughing facing this tragicomical situation and tell the coach "either you bench me now or you're coming here and guard this kid!"

Right... The kid... That kid, that in a few years would have given to basketball so many emotions that nobody could ever imagine, including the best love letter, the best farewell that anyone has written. 

Goodbye kid...

Now you'll make angels fall in love with basketball: every basket a divine "plan"!

Maybe one day we'll play again 1 on 1, and, without any doubt, you'll give me back that ridiculous block, while your daughter will watch us and laugh. 

5...4...3...2...1...

Farewell, Kobe. It has been beautiful. 

You can read the original post on Mr. Biagini's Facebook profile, it's public: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4021595527858024&id=100000228488066&sfnsn=scwspmo&extid=6A1kNj6Z8YiQ4ql4

[Mk0]

I am gonna need this to be the only time I watch Jerry West cry. That was the thing that finally broke me.

That hurt

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Rick Fox is coming on soon on TNT, and I just flashed back to when he was bawling his eyes out when Reggie Lewis died. That guy has lost 2 teammates. Damn.

[azcatz11]

Rick Fox is coming on soon on TNT, and I just flashed back to when he was bawling his eyes out when Reggie Lewis died. That guy has lost 2 teammates. Damn.

Unnamed Moron Mod is probably getting a kick out of this - don't want to be banned

[TheGOATRises007]

Inside the NBA is really tough to watch.

[Bird4Three]

Kenny Smith breaking down over getting the text back from Rick Fox saying he was alive...damn.

[lakerz12]

Watch on YouTube

[Air Apparent]

Inside the NBA is really tough to watch.

honestly, may god give EJ a long life, and all of those guys, but having EJ guiding the nba world through this is a great blessing, i was looking forward to the inside crew, because i knew they would bring comfort and do justice

[|||-Abaddon-|||]

I don't want to upset anyone, but does anyone feel there is a degree of potentially criminal negligence on the part of either the pilot or Kobe in this case? I feel too many lives were endangered and this horrible accident was utterly preventable with even a small decision. As much as I want to believe that a pilot has final say on whether they can fly, not many pilots have high-profile celebrity clients who in this case was very well versed with this method of transport. Ultimately, Kobe and the pilot were responsible for others in this circumstance, and principally everyone were advised not to fly. Not to be dreary, but I feel it could be a matter of time before there is some type of lawsuit against his estate after the dust settles, primarily due to the lives endangered on his property. Just a horrible tragedy, and poor children suffered as well.

[Tracymcgoaty]

Kenny Smith breaking down over getting the text back from Rick Fox saying he was alive...damn.

Too hard to watch him break down...He did everything he could to hold it together but you could see it coming with the way he was shaking.

[G R E Y]

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