Zobayan, 50, first grew to become excited about flying when he emigrated from Lebanon in the 1980s, his girlfriend of seven years told investigators. He received his personal pilot certificates in 2001 and had flown greater than eight,500 hours on the time of the crash, together with 1,250 within the Sikorsky S-76. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles Police Department later mentioned low clouds and fog within the area had prompted them to ground their own helicopters on the morning of the crash. Investigators even compared footage from cameras in the area, perched behind home plate at three youth baseball fields, to estimate visibility at the time of the crash. The helicopter did, however, lack two notable elements. It did not have a flight recorder, colloquially often recognized as a "black field," that might have supplied extra information for investigators.

While playing second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances, together with a 25-point, 11-rebound, 7-assist, 4-block game in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2000 Finals, in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle in the second quarter of Game 2 after touchdown on the Pacers' Jalen Rose's foot. In Game four, Bryant scored 22 points within the second half and led the group to an OT victory as O'Neal fouled out of the game.

In that series, Bryant averaged 22.6 factors per sport and 4.four assists. Jackson's contract as coach was not renewed, and Rudy Tomjanovich took over. O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. The following day, Bryant declined a proposal to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract.

Together along with his spouse, Bryant based the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation . Its targets are "serving to younger folks in want, encouraging the event of bodily and social abilities by way of sports activities and assisting the homeless". Bryant spoke of the injustice aimed toward homeless people who discover themselves blamed for his or her situation, saying that homelessness should not be ignored or made a low priority. Bryant mentioned he wished more out of life than just a successful basketball profession.

The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, he declared for the 1996 NBA draft after graduation, and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th total choose; the Hornets then traded him to the Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned a status as a high-flyer and a fan favourite by profitable the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, and he was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud with teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the pair led the Lakers to 3 consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

He’s mastered his arsenal to where he has two counters to everything. Some folks do it off the dribble, Kobe’s doing it together with his feet. He’s stepping round you, or putting you in a position the place you’re hopping in the air. One of my favourite Kobe moments got here back after I was with the Bulls. It was late in the sport, and he was out by the three-point line with Eddie Robinson guarding him. He up-faked, took one dribble, then did this pirouette that was simply sick before making the jumper.

At the time of his announcement, he was second on the staff in minutes (30.8) behind Jordan Clarkson and leading the staff with 16.7 subject goal makes an attempt per game, whereas averaging just 15.7 factors and shooting a career-low 31.5 %. In his press conference after the announcement, he acknowledged his declining expertise. "Even though I play like shit, I’ve worked actually, really onerous not to play like crap and I do every little thing I possibly can. And I feel good about that", he said.

She can argue that her civil rights have been violated so she will write off her legal charges on her taxes, however it’s hardly a certainty. Colorado Rockies right fielder Kris Bryant has been wholesome and productive this year following an injury-marred first season with the group in 2022. Charlotte Hornets chose him with the 13th choose of the 1996 draft. He was traded to the Lakers shortly thereafter and became the second youngest NBA participant in history when the 1996–97 season opened.