Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash (per TMZ)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

ITA

x a million

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

He didn’t just play basketball. He used his platform to help generations of kids and was a champion for female sports

That doesn't make him a hero. He did a good thing with that. And that's great. He should be recognized for that.

Also, that doesn't negate the rest of my post.

[Anonymous]

^^ 10000% agree! It is a tragic thing but this hero worship is nauseating.

I feel just horrible for the other families. Sincerely hope the Altobelli family did not have other children as they would have lost both of their parents and a sister.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ 10000% agree! It is a tragic thing but this hero worship is nauseating.

I feel just horrible for the other families. Sincerely hope the Altobelli family did not have other children as they would have lost both of their parents and a sister.

There are two more children in that family- I can't imagine what they are going through right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

He was a hero for many who grew up with him. I’m not a huge NBA fan anymore, but he inspired many people to play basketball, and also he inspired many younger people to do what you believe in and give 1000% effort. He rallied for many causes and charities and was all about giving back.

He may not be a hero to you, but to many people in this world, he was a very inspirational figure. There are people in my own family who credit playing college basketball because of him. If he’s their hero, people like you can’t take that away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

You disagree with labeling him a hero. That's fine. But, and this may come as a surprise to you, you are not the sole arbiter of this. To a lot of people, especially in Los Angeles, he *was* a hero, for a variety of reasons big and small. You may not think those reasons sufficient, but again, not your choice.

And for the record, I think it is "incredibly distasteful" to police and dismiss others heartfelt sentiments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cops job is to look for survivors and then notify families once it is established that there are none or they have found and are treating any that they have found. That takes time. Also, this is the kind of news you show up at someone's house to tell them, not via a phone call. But go off.

You act like there is 1 cop. They could have called the officers closest to their home and made notification quickly.

It's as quick as a phone call to the cop on duty.

Why would you assume people are at home to receive the news? If I run up to the grocery store, no cop on my doorstep is going to know where I am until I get home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

Agree. We can be respectful without being hagiographic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

He was a hero for many who grew up with him. I’m not a huge NBA fan anymore, but he inspired many people to play basketball, and also he inspired many younger people to do what you believe in and give 1000% effort. He rallied for many causes and charities and was all about giving back.

He may not be a hero to you, but to many people in this world, he was a very inspirational figure. There are people in my own family who credit playing college basketball because of him. If he’s their hero, people like you can’t take that away.

Inspirational? Maybe. Fantastic player? Yes. Motivated others? Certainly. But those do not equate to "hero." Sorry. Yes, to you and the other poster. But he is not a hero b/c by definition he is not one (and that is for lots of reasons). You can absolutely feel differently. But that just means you don't recognize someone who is actually a hero.

Carry one with your worship. I should have known to expect such a response from some of you. I"m out.

[Anonymous]

Is this some new "woke" trend...dictating who others are allowed to deem a hero?

Questions: Who the <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't admire? Who <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't respect? Who the <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't revere?

Your opinions are just that - yours.
Stop trying to bully others into conforming to your personal preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people here lost their children, their parents, their families. i doubt that hearing about it in person vs. on the phone makes all that much difference.

Yeah, but I’m sure hearing about it from TMZ wasn’t the best way for this to happen.

it was certainly not the best way to hear about it but at the end of the day a minor wrinkle in the big scheme of things which is so enormously devastating for everyone involved. RIP

A minor wrinkle?! Wow. Ok, TMZ.

I agree with the PP. His wife and kids (and all of the survivors) are going to look back on this as the worst day of their lives. I somehow doubt the way they discovered this tragic news is going to dramatically impact that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

You disagree with labeling him a hero. That's fine. But, and this may come as a surprise to you, you are not the sole arbiter of this. To a lot of people, especially in Los Angeles, he *was* a hero, for a variety of reasons big and small. You may not think those reasons sufficient, but again, not your choice.

And for the record, I think it is "incredibly distasteful" to police and dismiss others heartfelt sentiments.

Agree. People died and these posters seriously feel the need to police others. Your feelings are your own. If you don’t agree with the people mourning then don’t post. No one is forcing you to call him a hero or care. Go back to your corner and sulk to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

He was a hero for many who grew up with him. I’m not a huge NBA fan anymore, but he inspired many people to play basketball, and also he inspired many younger people to do what you believe in and give 1000% effort. He rallied for many causes and charities and was all about giving back.

He may not be a hero to you, but to many people in this world, he was a very inspirational figure. There are people in my own family who credit playing college basketball because of him. If he’s their hero, people like you can’t take that away.

Inspirational? Maybe. Fantastic player? Yes. Motivated others? Certainly. But those do not equate to "hero." Sorry. Yes, to you and the other poster. But he is not a hero b/c by definition he is not one (and that is for lots of reasons). You can absolutely feel differently. But that just means you don't recognize someone who is actually a hero.

Carry one with your worship. I should have known to expect such a response from some of you. I"m out.

Excellent. A dramatic improvement to this discourse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this some new "woke" trend...dictating who others are allowed to deem a hero?

Questions: Who the <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't admire? Who <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't respect? Who the <bleep> are you to tell others who they can/can't revere?

Your opinions are just that - yours.
Stop trying to bully others into conforming to your personal preferences.

+1. Some people consider their own parents a "hero" of sorts. Some people believe in Jesus. A hero is defined as whoever YOU deem them to be. It does not have to be unanimous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look, it is a tragedy he, and the others on that copter (including 2 children) were killed. It's understandable to recognize his importance to the sport, to pop culture, to his family/friends. I hope they are able to grieve and find some peace.

But can we stop with the "hero" labels? He wasn't a hero. And let's be honest, his character is up for debate. I'm not going to engage in a debate of that. But, labeling him as a hero or elevating to some sort of god like status for playing basketball is incredibly distasteful.

He was a hero for many who grew up with him. I’m not a huge NBA fan anymore, but he inspired many people to play basketball, and also he inspired many younger people to do what you believe in and give 1000% effort. He rallied for many causes and charities and was all about giving back.

He may not be a hero to you, but to many people in this world, he was a very inspirational figure. There are people in my own family who credit playing college basketball because of him. If he’s their hero, people like you can’t take that away.

Inspirational? Maybe. Fantastic player? Yes. Motivated others? Certainly. But those do not equate to "hero." Sorry. Yes, to you and the other poster. But he is not a hero b/c by definition he is not one (and that is for lots of reasons). You can absolutely feel differently. But that just means you don't recognize someone who is actually a hero.

Carry one with your worship. I should have known to expect such a response from some of you. I"m out.

Can you read? He’s not a hero to “YOU”. He’s a hero to many others who he’s influenced to follow their dreams BECAUSE of him. The whole “omg he just put a ball through a hoop” response is just lame.

You don’t get to define what makes a hero to others mrs/mr. anonymous person.