The sudden death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant has had the basketball world reeling for the last month. At first, I was unsure how to handle their deaths on the podcast. And to be honest, I still am. I am not used to speaking about death and loss, especially on a public platform and about people I did not know personally. I want this space to be for thoughtful responses, not quick reactions. So this episode is an attempt to discuss what I have heard, read and felt in the past few weeks.
Today’s podcast includes two separate conversations: one with writer and Lakers’ fan Brian Tran and the other with Isaac Eger, who is also a writer and pick up basketball player.
I also want to make sure that I acknowledge the seven others who died that morning.
Sarah Chester
Ara Zobayan
Christina Mauser
John Altobelli
Keri Altobelli
Alyssa Altobelli
Here are some articles I have read that I think are valuable:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/01/kobe-bryant-i-knew/605560/
https://www.instyle.com/news/kobe-bryant-reactions-complicated-legacy
https://theundefeated.com/features/kobe-bryant-death-complicated-past/
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28569693/kobe-bryant-never-stopped-trying-inspire
And for interesting podcast conversations:
Rest in Peace, The Right Time with Bomani Jones
Remembering Kobe Bryant, Inside the Green Room with Danny Green
Ramona Shelburne and Rachel Nichols, The Lowe Post