He was Kobe — part superstar, part celebrity, part basketball brand, part giant, a player for the ages made for star-driven Los Angeles, the quintessential Laker, suddenly and shockingly dead at the age of 41. Former NBA player Kobe Bryant attends a community screening for the film "Just Mercy" in Los Angeles, on Jan. 6, 2020. Lucy Nicholson /AFP via Getty Images / FilesLakers' Kobe Bryant (24) and Suns' Shaquille O'Neal fight for a rebound during their NBA game in Los Angeles, on Feb. 26, 2009. Lisa Blumenfeld /Getty Images / FilesRaptors' Morris Peterson keeps Kobe Bryant of the Lakers off balance during a 96-92 Raptors win in Toronto on Feb. 9, 2007. Rob Carr /Getty Images / FilesThe Lakers' Kobe Bryant wipes off sweat during a game against the Pacers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on Nov. 27, 2012.

Source: National Post January 26, 2020 23:46 UTC