Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki spoke out on the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. Via Twitter, Nowitzki briefly recalled how excited he was in coming home to see Bryant dominate in the fourth quarter. The Mavs icon also acknowledged how Bryant served as an inspiration to him and everyone else. Finally, Nowitzki shared his sympathies with Bryant's wife Vanessa and her three daughters. Nowitzki did not forget all the other passengers who perished in the crash.

 

During their tenure in the NBA, Nowitzki's Mavericks and Kobe Bryant's Lakers had many classic battles, be it in the regular season or in the playoffs. In the early 2000s and 2010s, both teams were among the elite teams in the league and were legitimate title contenders.

Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed Sunday morning when a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California. They had been expected at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game scheduled for Sunday. Gianna was expected to play in the game and Bryant was expected to coach.

Bryant entered the NBA as a 17-year-old high-school prodigy in 1996. In 20 years in the league, all of which were part of the Lakers, Bryant won five titles, was selected into 18 All-Star games, was crowned league MVP, among tons of individual accolades.

More than the trophies, Bryant is seen among sports fans as one of the best to ever do it. His tenacity, which was encapsulated in “Mamba Mentality,” influenced an entire generation to try to be the best version of themselves.