Kareem Abdul-Jabbar calls deaths of Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant ‘senseless’

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant exits the Vivint Arena after the Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz 123-75 in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 28, 2016. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The Los Angeles Lakers legend recently opened up about the loss of the Bryant family

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recently noted that the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant were senseless, he told People magazine.

What happened?

Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash, which led to the death of nine people.

How did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar react?

• Abdul-Jabbar said: “It’s just so senseless that he’s not here. It really doesn’t make any sense to see someone leave before they really had a chance to really show what they’re all about.”
• Abdul-Jabbar said: “Like everyone, I appreciated Kobe’s incredible athletic skills.”
• Abdul-Jabbar said: “I used to play peekaboo with Gianna when she was 5 and 6 years old. To see that she doesn’t get a chance to shine with all the promise she possessed? It’s a really pointless tragedy, and that’s what we have to deal with.”

Another NBA legend weighs in

As I wrote for the Deseret News, former NBA star Dwyane Wade talked about Kobe Bryant in an interview with Extra this week.

• Wade: “In every aspect of his life, he became a winner. He mastered whatever it is he needed to. And it comes with mistakes along the way, but, eventually, he mastered how to be an amazing basketball player, an amazing father, an amazing husband. So, just remember him mastering being a champion.”

What’s next?

Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and the seven other victims of the helicopter crash will be honored on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as I wrote for the Deseret News.

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