Miami Heat president Pat Riley spoke volumes about Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in the aftermath of his passing as the result of a helicopter accident on Sunday morning.
Riley extended his condolences to Bryant's family, who also mourn the loss of Gianna Bryant, as well as the seven other passengers said to be on board when the aircraft crashed.
Pat Riley, "“Kobe Bryant was a Godsend to this world; not just to the NBA, but to all those who hold dear and cherish family, friends and faith. Today I mourn the tremendous loss of Kobe, his daughter, Gianna, and the other passengers. . . .(1/2)
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) January 27, 2020
(2/2) . . . The Lord will bless Vanessa, the entire Bryant family, and all of those who lost their most precious loved ones today.” https://t.co/L5rD55HuOb
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) January 27, 2020
The reason for the crash remains unknown as authorities in Los Angeles continue to examine the scene.
Pat Riley actually considered returning to coach his old Lakers club after Phil Jackson retired following the 2003-04 season. However, the Purple and Gold reportedly did not hire Riley because of his stipulation that Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal be kept together (via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel):
“We sat and we talked about the team,” the Heat president said. “And I remember the one conversation that came up and I asked them the question, I said, ‘What about Shaquille and Kobe?' And they said . . . ”
Riley pauses, as if conjuring the tension of two decades earlier between O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
“They really didn't want to talk about it,” Riley added, referring to the meeting with the since-deceased Lakers owner. “And I said the only way that I could come and coach the team is they give me a chance to put these two back together, to build this relationship and to keep this thing going forward, because I thought with their team, and what they had just accomplished, that they could win more championships together in Los Angeles.
Although Riley would never coach Bryant, he and Kobe were very alike.
Riley was — and still is — notorious for being one of the most competitive executives in basketball, something Michael Jordan attested to during his Hall of Fame speech. Of course, Bryant is one of the fiercest competitors to ever take the floor.
The community continues to remember Bryant's life in what has become a very tragic day.
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