Doc Rivers spoke to the media following Kobe Bryant’s Death

News broke Sunday morning that a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California had claimed the lives of nine souls. Baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa; mother and daughter Sarah and Paugton Chester; Mamba Academy basketball coach Christinia Mauser; pilot Ara Zobayan; star player Gianna Marie Bryant and NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers had no idea how his players were about to play an NBA game. Holding back tears Rivers stated, “I don’t know. I just don’t have a lot to say.”

“We have to go play, the news is just devastating for Vanessa and his family. Just so many people he touched. Looking at my young players, just how emotional they are. They didn’t know him, it just tells you how far his reach was”, Rivers said while describing Kobe’s legacy.

Doc spoke on what Kobe meant to him and the game of basketball. “The news is just devastating to anybody who knew him. I’ve known him a long time and he means a lot to me obviously. He was such a great opponent, that’s what you want in sports.”

Rivers continued to eloquently express just what made Kobe different. “That DNA that very few athletes have. The Tiger Woods, the Michael Jordan’s.”

Still choking up Doc was asked about his last interaction with Kobe saying, “it was great, we were together at a function 3 or 4 weeks ago, and we talked for probably 45 minutes. We always liked to reminisce. We would always laugh at our versions of our losses. When we beat them in 2008, he had his version, and when they beat us in 2010 I had my version.”

Kobe Bryant transcended sports. He was a global ambassador for the game of basketball. “The Black Mamba” will be remembered for the inspiration he was to people from all walks of life, on and off the court. Some guys played games, Kobe’s one of those guys who gave recitals. “Heroes come and go, but legends live forever.”

Mamba Mentality forever.