NBA Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant

The world of sports mourned the loss of a basketball legend.

Former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant passed away at the age of 41.

On January 29, Bryant was riding a helicopter near his home in California.

Due to heavy fog, however, the helicopter lost control and crashed into a hillside.

Tragically, Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven other passengers, perished in the accident.

The news shocked athletes and sports fans around the world.

Born in 1978, Bryant is considered one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.

He was the shooting guard of the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years, winning five NBA championships and playing in 18 All-Star games in that span.

He also helped the United States win two Olympic gold medals in basketball.

In addition, Bryant played a major role in turning basketball into a global sport.

He was idolized by basketball fans overseas, and many young players grew up emulating his playing style.

His incredible popularity helped make NBA a household name around the world.

In the days after Bryant's death, the basketball world paid tribute to the legendary shooting guard.

A temporary memorial was set up in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers play.

There, people left flowers and messages of condolences.

"Thank you for showing the world what greatness looks like," one message read.

Also, NBA games scheduled on January 29 began with a special tribute to the late superstar.

For the first two plays, the player with the ball stood still in the middle of the court for 24 seconds and then 8 seconds.

This was to honor Bryant, whose uniform numbers were 24 and 8.

 

• tribute ˈtrɪbjuːt  헌사[찬사]  Pay Tribute 경의를 표한다 ,  찬사를 보낸다  mourn mɔːrn  (사람의 죽음을) 애도[슬퍼]하다 

• loss 분실, 상실, 손실, 줄임 , (한 사람의) 죽음[사망]  hillside ˈhɪlsaɪd  비탈, 산비탈  perish ˈperɪʃ  (특히 끔찍하게) 죽다  Tragically 비극적으로, 비참하게

• turn ( from something ) into something (~에서) ~이 되다[~으로 변하다]  emulate ˈemjuleɪt 모방하다[따라 가다]  household |haʊshoʊld  가정

• memorial məˈmɔːriəl 기념비 / 기념하기 위한, 추도[추모]의  condolence kən|doʊləns 애도, 조의