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KOBE BRYANT MOURNED DURING GRAMMYS CEREMONY
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “We are standing here literally heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”
With those words, Grammy host Alicia Keys summed up the feelings many had about Kobe Bryant. The former NBA legend, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were killed yesterday when their helicopter crashed in Southern California. The fact that the Grammys were held the same night at the Staples Center, where Bryant played for 20 years for the Los Angeles Lakers, added to the sadness of the news. Even as music stars and ticket holders filed into the arena, the area outside was being transformed into a makeshift shrine for Bryant. Thousands of fans crowded the plaza near the Staples Center, many gazing up at a large video screen with an image of a smiling Bryant that read, “In Loving Memory of KOBE BRYANT 1978-2020.”
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MUSICIANS JOIN IN MOURNING KOBE BRYANT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Even as they celebrated music’s big night, stars attending the Grammys noted the death of Kobe Bryant. Before she performed, Lizzo said, “This is for Kobe.” Host Alicia Keys said she was “crazy sad” about the news. She was joined on the Staples Center stage by Boyz II Men — and they teamed up to sing, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” Other musicians who paid homage to Bryant included Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Ross and DJ Khaled, who called the news “devastating.” As he entered the arena, Smokey Robinson choked up as he spoke of his friend Bryant. Smokey said as a father, he lamented that Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna “was there with him and there was nothing he could do for her.”
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NBA TEAMS STAGE IN-GAME TRIBUTE TO KOBE BRYANT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Kobe Bryant played so well during his time as a Los Angeles Laker, the NBA team retired both jersey numbers he wore: #8 and #24. When the Portland Trail Blazers hosted the Indiana Pacers last night, they used those two numbers to stage an in-game tribute to Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash yesterday. Before the game, the Trail Blazers asked fans to observe a 24-second period of silence. At the start of the game, the Blazers took a 24-second shot-clock violation. In response, the Pacers took an eight-second timeline penalty. And, though the game was played in Portland, several fans at the arena wore Lakers jerseys, honoring a star from one of the home team’s fiercest rivals. Around the league yesterday, players and fans also spoke of the shock of Bryant’s death at age 41.
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105051-a-188:16-(Norman Powell, Raptors guard)-"uh, he was"-Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in copter crash, 7 others dead (27 Jan 2020)
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105049-a-201:12-(Gregg Popovich, Spurs head coach)-"will to win"-Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in copter crash, 7 others dead (27 Jan 2020)
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105052-a-193:92-(Norman Powell, Raptors guard)-"Kobe somehow, somewhere"-Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in copter crash, 7 others dead (27 Jan 2020)
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105050-a-154:80-(Marc Gasol (gah-SAHL'), Raptors center)-"a split second"-Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in copter crash, 7 others dead (27 Jan 2020)
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KOBE BRYANT REACTIONS
UNDATED (AP) — Reaction from the basketball world and beyond on the death of retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash yesterday:
“Words can't describe the pain I am feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply — and took great pride in his daughter's love for the game of basketball.” — Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan in a statement
“The crash was a tragedy for multiple families. My heart goes out to Vanessa and the families that lost loved ones. Kobe was a chosen one — special in many ways to many people. Our relationship as coach/player transcended the norm. He went beyond the veil." — former Lakers coach Phil Jackson in a statement
“It's an unbelievable reality that he's no longer here.” — golfer Tiger Woods
“Kobe was not only an icon in the sports arena, he was a man of the world and touched so many lives and communities in the most positive ways. His star was continuing to rise every day and he knew no limits because of his many intellectual and creative talents and desire to give back to others – his passion for the game, for his family and for others was apparent in everything he accomplished.” — Basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird in a statement.
“It's just a huge loss to the game. He was a great example on a lot of different stages.” — rapper Rick Ross at the Grammy Awards
“Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts and prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours. #RIPMAMBA” — Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell via Twitter
“That is terrible news!” — President Donald Trump via Twitter
“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.” — Former President Barack Obama via Twitter
“Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant. An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well.” — actress Reese Witherspoon via Twitter
“Today we at @WaltDisneyCo mourn the tragic loss of @kobebryant...a giant in sports and a person so full of life. Terrible news and so hard to process....” — Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of Disney, via Twitter
“A true gladiator in our life time. You will be forever in our memories, our children’s memories, and generations to come.” — rapper Wyclef Jean via Twitter
“Kobe’s support for the WNBA and women’s basketball along with his passion for helping young girls and boys follow their dreams made him a true legend for our sport. We admired him not just as a legendary basketball player, but as a father, a youth coach, and a role model for future generations of athletes.” — WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a statement
“Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved.” — Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles mayor, via Twitter
HARVEY WEINSTEIN TRIAL RESUMES TODAY
NEW YORK (AP) — With the weekend now over, a new week of testimony begins in the Harvey Weinstein rape trial. The jury has already heard from an actress who says the Hollywood mogul raped her — and she isn’t one of the two women Weinstein is charged with attacking. Last week, Annabella Sciorra (SHOR’-rah) testified Weinstein forced his way into her apartment and raped her. Later, she said Weinstein tried to woo her by sending her X-rated chocolates — and once showing up at her hotel room in his underwear, carrying a bottle of oil in one hand and a videotape in the other. Sciorra’s testimony was buttressed Friday by fellow actress Rosie Perez, who says the “Sopranos” actress told her about the rape shortly after it happened. Aside from the two women whose allegations led to Weinstein’s charges, three other women will testify about what they say were assaults by Weinstein. Prosecutors have been allowed to put on those witnesses because they claim the ex-movie tycoon had a pattern of assaulting women.
BOX OFFICE
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — At the box office, the battle between “Bad Boys” and “Gentlemen” “Boys” turned out the same way it might in a back alley — with the bad guys triumphing. For the second straight weekend, “Bad Boys for Life” won the top spot on the list of top moneymakers. The Will Smith-Martin Lawrence buddy flick took in $34 million in ticket sales. Meanwhile, Guy Ritchie’s “The Gentlemen” is third with $11 million in tickets sold. Sandwiched between is “1917.” And though it didn’t get a box office win this weekend, it did get another notch in its belt as an Oscar front-runner. Sam Mendes copped the top prize at the Directors Guild Awards on Saturday night.
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104995-w-432:96-(Ben Thomas, AP correspondent, with sound from movie trailers)-"I'm Ben Thomas"-'Bad Boys,' '1917' best 'The Gentleman' at box office (26 Jan 2020)
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104992-r-358:80-(Sound of trailer for the movie "Bad Boys for Life")-"music"-'Bad Boys,' '1917' best 'The Gentleman' at box office (26 Jan 2020)
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104994-r-361:92-(Sound of trailer for the movie "The Gentlemen")-"music"-'Bad Boys,' '1917' best 'The Gentleman' at box office (26 Jan 2020)
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104993-r-219:60-(Sound of trailer for the movie "1917")-"Good luck (boom)"-'Bad Boys,' '1917' best 'The Gentleman' at box office (26 Jan 2020)
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OPRAH BOLTS, BUT RUSSELL SIMMONS DOCUMENTARY AIRS AT SUNDANCE
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Oprah Winfrey may have shied away. But a documentary featuring sexual assault claims against movie mogul Russell Simmons still made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend. “On the Record” took some heat when Winfrey bailed as executive producer, saying the project needs more reporting. Apple TV also stopped distributing it. But the film still premiered Saturday — and the women who made the claims got a rousing ovation. One of the documentary’s directors thanked Sundance “for standing strong and never blinking.” Several women have accused Simmons of harassment and rape. He has denied any wrongdoing.
“SESAME STREET” - SYRIA
NEW YORK (AP) — Over the decades, “Sesame Street” has helped young people deal with basic learning skills — and cope with life skills. Now, the company behind the show wants to help kids affected by the civil war in Syria. Sesame Workshop has launched a new, locally produced Arabic TV show for the hundreds of thousands of children displaced in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. The show’s Arabic title translates into “Welcome Sesame” — and features mainstay Muppets like Elmo, Cookie Monster and Grover. It also introduces new players like Jad, who had to leave his home, and Basma, a purple girl monster who befriends the refugee. The executive producer of “Welcome Sesame” says, “It's more than a TV show. It's a massive intervention.”
BROADWAY PRODUCER MARGO LION DIES
NEW YORK (AP) — A Broadway producer who helped bring Tony Award-winning hits like “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “Hairspray” to the theater has died. Margo Lion’s son says his mom died at a New York hospital days after suffering a brain aneurysm. Lion also produced “Angels in America.” Lion was 75.
by Oscar Wells Gabriel II
Follow Oscar Wells Gabriel II on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OWGabriel2
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