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Fri Jan 31 202013:47Kobe Bryant Advisory
Editors:To help you with planning for Kobe Bryant, here are some of our plans. This advisory is subject to change and will be routinely updated. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org Please contact Oscar Dixon (odixon@ap.org) with any questions. All times Eastern.Friday, Jan. 31BKN—KOBE BRYANT-CLIPPERS-LAKERS TRIBUTELOS ANGELES — All-Star forward Paul George narrated a 2-minute video tribute to Kobe Bryant before the Los Angeles Clippers faced the Sacramento Kings Thursday night. It was the first basketball game at Staples Center since Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in Sunday's helicopter crash. The Clippers celebration was a precursor to the Lakers tribute to Bryant Friday night when his former teams plays its first game since his death. SENT: 500 words, photos. DEVELOPINGBKN—TRAIL BLAZERS-LAKERSLOS ANGELES — The Lakers return to action for the first time since Kobe Bryant's death and since their game scheduled Tuesday against the Clippers was canceled. the Lakers host the Trail Blazers in a nationally televised game. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Game starts at 10:30 p.m.US—OSCARS-Q&A-HAIR LOVE LOS ANGELES —Matthew A. Cherry says being an Academy Award nominee was initially good enough for him, until the death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant, who won in the same category in 2018. Cherry, a former NFL player, says he now feels inspired to bring home the Oscar trophy through his animated film “Hair Love” in honor of the NBA legend.. By Jonathan Landrum. Sent: 750 words, photosUS—SUPER BOWL-LIZZOMIAMI — At a pre-Super Bowl concert, Lizzo performed with Harry Styles at the show and celebrated the life of NBA icon Kobe Bryant, telling the crowd: “I can’t be at the largest sporting event of the year without mentioning the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.” By Mesfin Fekadu. Sent; 400 words, photosSaturday, Feb. 1BKN—KOBE BRYANT-LOWER MARION TRIBUTEARDMORE, Pa. — Kobe Bryant’s high school team plays its first home game since his death on Saturday. Lower Merion, the school Bryant led to a state championship, is expected to have a big tribute for the late Lakers star. By Dan Gelston UPCOMING. 650 words. By 8 pm. AP Photos (tentative )___Previously Sent:BKN—KOBE BRYANT-LAKERSEL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers lightened the mood before their return to the court by playing soccer and American football in a park across the street from their training complex. The Lakers are back at Staples Center on Friday to face the Portland Trail Blazers in their first game since the death of Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash. The Lakers will hold a pregame tribute to Bryant and his daughter and the other victims, although the franchise wants the details kept private. The loss is still painful for LeBron James and the players, who all decided not to speak to the media for the second straight day By Greg Beacham. Sent: Thursday, Jan. 30KOBE BRYANT-HELICOPTER PILOTLOS ANGELES — Ara Zobayan’s life in the cockpit began as a passenger, a tourist looking out of a helicopter into the vast Grand Canyon. Zobayan’s journey to helicopter pilot to the stars ended Sunday when the Sikorsky aircraft he was flying — carrying eight passengers, including basketball star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna — crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, killing all aboard. By Stefanie Dazio. Sent: Thursday, Jan. 30.BKN—ALL-STAR-FORMAT CHANGESKobe Bryant's jersey number will be chased at this year's NBA All-Star Game. The NBA says this year's game will have a new format. The team that wins each quarter will receive money for charity. Scores will be reset at the start of the second and third quarters. They'll be restored to begin the fourth quarter, which will be untimed. The winning team in the All-Star Game will be the first team to add 24 points to whatever the leading score is after three quarters. The 24 is a tribute to Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Thursday, Jan. 30BKN—KINGS-CLIPPERSLOS ANGELES — In the first NBA game at the Staples Center since Kobe Bryant's death, the Los Angeles Clippers host the Sacramento Kings in a nationally televised game Sent: Thursday, Jan. 30US—MEDIA-ABC-BRYANTNEW YORK — ABC News says it has suspended reporter Matt Gutman for his inaccurate report shortly after the helicopter crash that killed former basketball star Kobe Bryant on Sunday. Gutman wrongly reported that all four of Bryant's children were with him and also killed. Only one of Bryant's daughters, Gianna, was on the plane and among those killed. Gutman later corrected his report on the air, but the damage was done. ABC said Gutman had failed to meet its standards. The network would not say how long the suspension would last. Gutman issued an apology to the Bryant family for its loss and, he said, ‘any additional anguish my report caused.' Sent: Thursday, Jan. 30BKN—KOBE BRYANT-FAMILY STATEMENTVanessa Bryant made her first public comment since the helicopter crash that killed her husband Kobe Bryant, one of their daughters and seven others. She took to Instagram to thank people for the global outpouring of support since the tragedy. Bryant also announced the formation of a fund to help support the other families that were affected by the crash. She said she is “completely devastated” by the loss of her husband and her “loving, thoughtful and wonderful" daughter, Gianna. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Wednesday, Jan. 29BKN—KOBE BRYANT-LAKERSEL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers have returned to practice while they continue to grieve for Kobe Bryant. The Lakers held a light shooting workout Wednesday as they resumed basketball activities after the death of Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash. Coach Frank Vogel says the Lakers are all deeply saddened by the tragedy. By Greg Beacham. Sent: Wednesday, Jan. 29US—HELICOPTER CRASH-KOBE BRYANT KILLEDLOS ANGELES — A crash-warning device wasn't required on the helicopter that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant and eight others but experts say it's unclear whether the instrument would have saved their lives. Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board says the pilot slammed into a foggy hillside outside Los Angeles Sunday after a minute-long, high-speed plunge and it's unclear yet whether he was still in control of the craft. Homendy says the helicopter wasn't required to have a terrain-warning system that sounds a danger alert. But one expert says the alert might not have helped a disoriented pilot. By Brian Melley, David Koenig and Bernard Condon. Sent: 800 words, photosUS—KOBE BRYANT-COLORADO PROSECUTORDENVER — The prosecutor who pursued sexual assault charges against Kobe Bryant 17 years ago believes he would have won a conviction if the case had gone to trial and that the accuser would have received more support if the case had been filed during the current #MeToo environment. Mark Hurlbert said in an interview with The Associated Press he is shocked and saddened by the senseless deaths of Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others this week. But he remains confident he would have won a conviction against Bryant in 2003-2004 had the woman who accused Bryant not decided to end the criminal case during jury selection. By James Anderson and Brian Mahoney. Sent: Wednesday, Jan. 29BKN—KOBE BRYANT-BOYHOOD BASKETBALL HEROSAO PAULO — For little Kobe Bryant growing up in Italy the player that amazed him as a child was skinny and half-bald Brazilian guard Oscar Schmidt. The 6-foot-8 sharp-shooter often beat Bryant's father's teams with long distance shots. Schmidt, one of basketball's all-time leading scorers with almost 50,000 points, played with Italian teams between 1982 and 1993. It was there that the son of Joe Bryant started going to courts to watch his father in action and, when possible, take a few shots himself. By Mauricio Savarese. Sent: Wednesday, Jan. 29BKN—KOBE BRYANT-TRIBUTESMIAMI — The grief over the death of Kobe Bryant continues. So do the tributes. There's no end in sight in either case. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Wednesday, Jan. 29US-HELICOPTER CRASH-KOBE BRYANT-KILLEDCALABASAS, Calif. — Authorities say the veteran pilot of a helicopter that crashed near Los Angeles, killing Kobe Bryant and eight others, tried to avoid fog so heavy it grounded police choppers. The helicopter was ferrying Bryant from Orange County to Ventura County on Sunday when it smashed into a Calabasas hillside at nearly 200 mph. The death of the retired NBA superstar shocked fans around the world. The cause of the crash is under investigation. But Jennifer Homendy of the NTSB says the pilot had tried to climb to avoid a cloud layer. Experts say he may have become disoriented. By Stephanie Dazio, David Koenig and Bernard Condon. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN—KOBE BRYANT-ATHLETES TREATMENTThe rape allegation against Kobe Bryant was a footnote in most retellings of the basketball star's otherwise inspirational life story. Some might say he was treated the same way in the immediate aftermath of his tragic death as he was in life — given the "athletes treatment" for a transgression that has sunk famous people in other walks of life. By National Writer Eddie Pells. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN--KOBE BRYANT-PHILADELPHIAKobe Bryant’s death was felt hard in Philadelphia. Bryant was a star player who won a state championship at Lower Merion High School. His loyalty toward the school never wavered and the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium at the Philadelphia suburb school's campus was dedicated in 2010. But Philly fans never forgave him for critical comments when the Los Angeles Lakers played the 76ers for the 2001 NBA championship. By Dan Gelston. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN--KOBE BRYANT-GLOBAL IMPACTROME — Kobe Bryant was bigger than just a basketball player. He was the sport’s global ambassador. It was a role that Bryant began studying for at an early age during his seven-year childhood tour of Italy while his father played pro basketball in the country. Italian coach Ettore Messina says "he was a typical citizen of the world and he understood that before a lot of other people.” Bryant kept an AC Milan jersey inside his locker room at the Staples Center to show his support for his favorite soccer team. Milan was planning an extensive tribute to the player at the San Siro on Tuesday. By Andrew Dampf. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN—BRYANT-O'NEALShaquille O'Neal tearfully said he never could have imagined anything like Kobe Bryant's death, remembering his former teammate a great player whose kids called him “Uncle Shaq." O'Neal's comments came at the start of TNT's pregame show. He sat along with the network's studio team on the court at Staples Center. TNT was supposed to televise a doubleheader, but the NBA canceled the Lakers-Clippers game that was scheduled to be the nightcap because the Lakers organization is still too devastated after the death of Bryant and his daughter in a helicopter crash Sunday. By AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. SENT: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN—KOBE BRYANT-WOMEN'S BASKETBALLHARTFORD, Conn. — Kobe Bryant had always taken an interest in women's basketball, mentoring some of the greats of the game, including Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd. Whether it was through a weekly text or phone call, he cared about seeing them dvelop as players. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28BKN--AROUND THE NBAThe NBA absolutely made the right call in postponing Tuesday night’s game in Los Angeles between the Lakers and the Clippers. The entire league is grieving Kobe Bryant. It’s hard for everyone. Impossibly hard. Now imagine what that anguish is like right now for the Lakers, the team that Bryant spent 20 years playing for and will forever be associated with. They’re not ready to play. Frankly, none of us are probably ready to start this series of farewells, either. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28US—HELICOPTER CRASH-KOBE BRYANT-VICTIMSThe baseball team led by Orange Coast College's John Altobelli will pay tribute to their late coach at their home season opener. Altobelli, who has coached at the school for more than two decades, was among the nine victims of Sunday's helicopter crash that killed basketball star Kobe Bryant. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28US--KOBE BRYANT-STAPLES MEMORIALFans call it The House that Kobe Built, and since the basketball superstar's death in a weekend helicopter crash thousands have streamed into a plaza just outside Los Angeles' Staples Center. It was at Staples that Kobe Bryant played for almost all of his 20 seasons with the Lakers. And now it's where fans have come to shed tears, exchange hugs, leave candles, jerseys and other memorabilia, and recall joyful times. Louie Guerrero brought his 2-year-old daughter, decked out in her own little Lakers uniform. He scribbled “We love you Kobe" on one of his Lakers basketball sneakers and left it behind. By John Rogers. Sent: Tuesday, Jan. 28US—HELICOPTER CRASH-KOBE BRYANT KILLEDCALABASAS, Calif. — Investigators are working on a rugged hillside outside Los Angeles where a helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and eight others crashed in foggy conditions considered dangerous enough that local police agencies grounded their choppers. About 20 investigators are on the scene Monday morning in Calabasas were Bryant's helicopter crashed Sunday with an impact that scattered debris over an area the size of a football field and killed everyone aboard. The accident unleashed an outpouring of grief from admirers around the country who mourned the sudden loss of the all-time basketball great who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. By Stephanie Dazio. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN—KOBE BRYANT-GIANNAShe had next. Her name was Gianna Maria Onore Bryant. The world, now and forever, knows her as Gigi. Her dad, Kobe Bryant, called her Mambacita. He was Mamba, of course, and she was going to be basketball’s female version of him. She was going to play at Connecticut and head to the WNBA. That was the plan, until Sunday, when her promising life – just like her dad’s life, just like the lives of seven others – came to a shocking, sudden and sad end. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN--LAKERS GAME POSTPONEDLOS ANGELES — The NBA has postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' next game in the wake of retired superstar Kobe Bryant's death in a helicopter crash. The Lakers learned about Bryant's death while they were flying home from an East Coast road trip. Several players appeared to be visibly affected by the news when they got off the plane. The Lakers organization hasn't made a public statement about Bryant's death, choosing to mourn in private. The team made grief counselors available to employees Monday after the death of Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers. By Greg Beacham. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN--KOBE BRYANT-ASIAN REACTIONBEIJING — Kobe Bryant was a hugely popular figure in Asia, no more so than in China where basketball rivals soccer as the most popular sport. However, his death Sunday in a helicopter crash comes at an awkward time between the country and the league. China's national broadcaster pulled all NBA games off the air in October after the Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests. Still, Chinese fans offered their condolences and tributes online, while the presidents of Taiwan and the Philippines also offered their praise for his contributions and inspiration. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN—KOBE BRYANT-A CITY MOURNSLOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant came from Philadelphia and was raised in Italy. Starting at 17, though, he belonged to Los Angeles. The city adopted him as a native son while thrilling to his All-Star moves that helped the Lakers win five NBA championships over his 20 seasons. That's why his death in a helicopter crash at age 41 stunned and saddened men, women and children of all ethnicities across Los Angeles. They gathered in a plaza across from Staples Center to chant his name and alternately stare in silence at candles, flowers and hand-lettered signs piled on the pavement. By Beth Harris. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN—KOBE BYRANT-APPRECIATIONKobe Bryant was always driven by hard work. Even on the first day after he retired as an NBA player, he beat his staff to the office. That perfectly sums up how seriously he took the things that inspired him. By AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN—TIM DAHLBERG-KOBE'S LEGACYAt the age of 41, Kobe Bryant was a few years into his new life. Now he's gone, and we'll never know how that new life played out. His legacy as one of the greatest players of all time is intact, but there was more Bryant was hoping to show in his post-Lakers career. Columnist Tim Dahlberg says the finality of death means we’ll never know how the second act will play out. One thing we do know from the tremendous outpouring of grief upon his death is that Bryant was loved by many — and for many different reasons. By Tim Dahlberg. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN—KOBE BRYANT-ITALYROME — Kobe Bryant’s death made a particularly strong impact in the Italian town of Rieti. It's a city already familiar with losing a basketball hero. Kobe’s father Joe made his Italian basketball debut in 1984 in Rieti when Kobe was 6. Another American player named Willie Sojourner spent six successful seasons with Rieti beginning in 1976 but then died in a car crash in the city in 2005 after returning to coach the club’s youth team. Rieti president Giuseppe Cattani says "it’s tragic when you lose these champions. It felt like we lost a family member last night. The entire city.” By Andrew Dampf. Sent: Monday, Jan. 27BKN--KOBE BRYANT-BOOKSAO PAULO — Kobe Bryant and Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho were working together on a children's book, but the author of “The Alchemist” says he decided to delete the draft after Bryant's death. The 72-year-old novelist told The Associated Press that the two men started discussing the book project in 2016, when Bryant retired after a 20-year NBA career. They began writing a few months ago. Within hours of hearing of Bryant's death in a helicopter crash, Coelho said he was deleting the book because it didn't make sense to publish without Bryant. By Mauricio Savarese. Sent: 450 words, photosOBIT-BRYANTKobe Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41. By Mark J. Terrill and Greg Beacham. By Mark J. Terrill and Greg Beacham. Moved Sunday, Jan. 26US—HELICOPTER CRASH-KOBE BRYANT KILLEDNBA legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash on a steep hillside in Southern California on Sunday, his sudden death at age 41 touching off an outpouring of grief for a star whose celebrity transcended basketball. By Stefanie Dazio. Sent: Sunday, Jan. 26BKN—OBIT-BRYANT REACTIONNBA players, coaches, entertainers and politicians took to social media and other avenues to express their shock and sadness over the helicopter crash that took the life of former basketball great Kobe Bryant. By Brian Mahoney. Sent: Sunday, Jan. 26OBIT—BRYANT-QUOTE BOX Reaction from the basketball world and beyond on the death of retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash on Sunday at age 41. Sent: Sunday, Jan. 26OBIT—BRYANT-PHOTO GALLERYBy any measure, Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest players in NBA history. The retired Los Angeles Lakers star died Sunday in a helicopter crash at age 41. He was proudest of his five championship rings, the most recent in 2010. Only four NBA players who weren’t on the Boston Celtics’ 1960s dynasty teams have won more titles. His career was remarkable for its longevity and because he played all 20 seasons with the Lakers — the most ever for one team. Bryant was the fifth player to last two full decades. He scored the third-most points in league history. Owner: Alyssa Goodman. Sent: Sunday, Jan. 26BKN—KOBE BRYANT-GLANCEFormer NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in California. A glance at some of Bryant's career highlights. Sent: Sunday, Jan. 26GRAMMYS-KOBE BRYANTFrom the red carpet to the main stage, sadness loomed over music’s biggest night Sunday at the arena in downtown Los Angeles where Kobe Bryant played for 20 years for the city's NBA team. Bryant's death in a helicopter crash earlier in the day was acknowledged in the opening minutes of the Grammys broadcast. Before her performance, Lizzo said, “This is for Kobe.” She went on to perform “Truth Hurts” and “Cuz I Love You.” By AP Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. Sent: Sunday, Jun 26