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ishceshelton · 3 months

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task one ⏤ the basics.

What is your full name?

shaedon anthony shelton.

Where and when were you born?

dallas, texas on january 30 1997.

Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)

anthony and leila shelton are his father and step-mom, and camilla accardi and stephen cooper are his mom and step-dad. his father owns a business while his step mom is a baker and his mom teaches despite him wanting her to retire while his step dad is an accountant. his mom was always the more nurturing parent and he's very close with her while his dad was stern and they often were at odds. His dad was usually the one pushing him to the limits and he tributes that to part of his success now.

Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?

he has four brothers sergio, shiloh, milo and zion and four sisters shy, sienna, sierra and sky. they're all very close even though they get on each other's nerves but through their parents trials and tribulations they were all they had.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.

he lives in los angeles whenever he's not playing basketball in a mansion with 7 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, an indoor basketball court, pool, 6 car garage, home theater and gym with a sauna. he also has a home in boston massachusetts with 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, indoor heated pool, basketball court, gym, and 3 car garage. he lives with his dog pluto and occasional sibling from time to time.

What is your occupation?

he's a professional basketball player.

Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.

he's 6'8/6'9 and weighs 225 pounds for the most part but it fluctuates throughout the season. he's black and a quarter italian with curly black hair and brown eyes with a scar under his eye and various scars from playing basketball. his tattoos consist of a leg sleeve with his jerseys, portrait of his mom and him, kobe and nipsey tributes, his birth year, basketball accolades, and tribute to his city and family. he has a few random hand and wrist tattoos, a tattoo on his hip from his ex, as well as back piece in progress with his childhood home, angels, god's will, first shoe, cross, olympic medal and a cover up in the works. when it comes to his style, he likes to be comfy but stays in the latest while always sporting a nice watch and some sort of chain.

To which social class do you belong?

upper class.

Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

he's allergic to citrus but eats it anyway.

Are you right- or left-handed?

he writes with his left hand but does everything else with his right.

What does your voice sound like?

his voice is very deep with his southern accent showing in certain words. sometimes a little raspy because he's always yelling on the court.

What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

aight. nasty work. ain't no way. cmon na.

What do you have in your pockets?

usually he just has his phone and some money.

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

he has a pregame routine that he has to follow before every game and if he doesn't he feels like he'll have a bad game.

PART 2: GROWING UP

How would you describe your childhood in general?

his childhood was busy and full of work. when his parents were together they were always working to provide for the family so he spent a lot of time with his grandparents working on their farm. his uncle used to rescue him and take him to the local courts or gym to play basketball. if he wasn't doing that, him and his siblings were always together, hanging out and just keeping themselves occupied. once his parents divorced his was bouncing back and forth but got away from the farm life to focus on basketball.

What is your earliest memory?

his earliest memory was getting his childhood dog that he and his siblings begged for.

How much schooling have you had?

he never finished college because he declared for the draft so he only has a high school diploma.

Did you enjoy school?

he did not enjoy school at all, was always tired because of basketball and if it wasn't for basketball he wouldn't have been motivated to do well.

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

he learned a lot from his uncle he took him under his wing and coached him once he saw the potential in basketball.

While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.

he looked up to a lot of basketball players like kobe, michael jordan, lebron, and tracy mcgrady.

While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?

he and his siblings were very close knit, did everything together if they could and were always around each other even when their parents separated. overall they were very family oriented and made sure to make time for each other. whether his mom was cussing them out in italian or his dad was being standoffish, they always found a way to show love.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

he always wanted to be a basketball player.

As a child, what were your favorite activities?

he liked to play basketball but he also enjoyed just spending time with his mom in the kitchen making homemade pasta noodles.

As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?

he was a wild child and very high energy, always getting into anything he could and bugging the rest of his siblings. but even though he was one of the middle children he took on a protector role early and always looked out for his sisters especially.

As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?

he was social and always had a lot of friends. playing basketball brought him a lot of friendships and attention so he always had a crew of people.

When and with whom was your first kiss?

his first kiss was when he was six with a neighbor after his brothers dared him.

Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?

no, he lost his virginity at 14 while they were away at a basketball tournament. he swore he loved the girl and everything.

PART 3: PAST INFLUENCES

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?

when he got a full ride scholarship to ucla.

Who has had the most influence on you?

his uncle because he was the one constant man in his life that never gave up on him and always was in his corner no matter what.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

he would say being able to take care of his family because he's always wanted to do that.

What is your greatest regret?

he regrets letting certain people have access to him.

What is the most evil thing you have ever done?

he took a teammates girl on accident.

Do you have a criminal record of any kind?

he doesn't because he was a nba prospect early in high school but he got in some trouble a few times that could've ruined everything.

When was the time you were the most frightened?

probably some random halloween as a kid.

What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?

his car ran out of gas when he was on a date.

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?

he would've put in more effort with the relationship with his dad because he let his own stubbornness stop him from trying to fix things.

What is your best memory?

his 26th birthday.

What is your worst?

how his last relationship ended.

#shaetasks.#l.a. task 100

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ilovejevsjeans · 2 months

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2020- Testing- Dan had a special one off helmet for testing- A tribute to basketball player Kobe Bryant who died a few weeks before.

#daniel ricciardo #dan #testing 2020 #10 years of dan #10 years of dan: 2020

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adventure-alex · 10 months

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🌟🌆 Discover the Vibrant Wonders of Kobe, Japan! 🌆🌟

📸 Join us on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking city of Kobe! 🌸 Immerse yourself in a fusion of rich culture, tantalizing flavors, and awe-inspiring sights that will leave you in awe. 🎉 Here are 10 incredible things to do in Kobe that will make your visit truly unforgettable! 🌟

1️⃣ Indulge in the Beauty of Kobe Harbor: 🌊 Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing coastal charm, where mountains meet the sparkling bay. Experience the magic of Harborland, a vibrant shopping district that offers endless delights for all.

2️⃣ Dive into the Enchanting World of Chinatown: 🏮 Explore the vibrant streets of Nankinmachi, Kobe's bustling Chinatown. Indulge your taste buds with delectable Chinese cuisine while marveling at the stunning architecture and lively atmosphere.

3️⃣ Conquer Mt. Rokko: ⛰️ Embark on an exhilarating hike up Mt. Rokko and witness panoramic views that will take your breath away. Capture the stunning sunset and immerse yourself in nature's embrace.

4️⃣ Seek Serenity at Herb Mountain: 🌿 Embark on a magical journey through the lush greenery of Herb Mountain, where fragrant herbs and cascading waterfalls await. Let the serene beauty rejuvenate your spirit.

5️⃣ Discover the Architectural Marvel of Weathercock House: 🏰 Marvel at the bold beauty of Weathercock House, a striking red-brick residence nestled in Kitano. Step into a bygone era and immerse yourself in its elegant charm.

6️⃣ Unleash Your Spiritual Side at Ikuta Shrine: ⛩️ Visit Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, and experience its timeless spiritual aura. Feel a sense of tranquility as you wander through its sacred grounds.

7️⃣ Immerse Yourself in Art at Hyogo Prefectural Museum: 🖼️ Let the creativity of Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art captivate your senses. Delve into a world of masterpieces and immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene of Kobe.

8️⃣ Pay Tribute at Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park: 🕊️ Reflect on the resilience of the city at Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park. Witness the lasting impact of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and pay homage to its memory.

9️⃣ Savor the Legendary Kobe Beef: 🥩 Indulge in the world-renowned Kobe beef, renowned for its exquisite tenderness and marbling. Treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure like no other.

🔟 Marvel at the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge: 🌉 Stand in awe before the engineering marvel of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge. Capture unforgettable moments against the backdrop of this iconic structure.

🌟 Unleash the Explorer Within! 🌟

Don't miss out on the captivating wonders that await you in Kobe! 🌸✨ Embrace the vibrant culture, immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, and create memories that will last a lifetime. 📸 Plan your adventure to Kobe today and prepare for an extraordinary journey unlike any other! 🌆✈️

#japan travel #travel blog #kobebeef #kobe trip #kobe #Kansai #japan destinations #japan vacation #KobeJapan #TravelInspiration #ExploreKobe

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lol-jackles · 7 months

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One Piece review

Stories in One Piece stories are zany, but it works because it is classically told, with a focus on character, a journey together, the various characters' flaws getting them in trouble, triumph over hardship, and the camaraderie between crew members. It's also just a really wholesome, fun show in an era of entertainment that's teaming with forced messaging and just dismal dystopia views and so on. The One Piece offers a a nice change of pace from all of the grimdark medieval-fantasy shows and repetitive, formulaic superhero adaptations. Simply put, the show was made on the on the foundation of joy.

The world building was great. It gives you the scope and scale. I just love how snails are inexplicably used for communication for everything without explanation. It just is, so just go with it.

The fight scenes were cartoonish and you can see everybody doing fights and that's why it's great. None of that stupid multiple cutaways.

The casting was top notch. Both main character and side characters were distinctive and with believable emotional motivation. Every. Single. Actor. commits to their character, making them believable and far deeper than I expected.

Like the show, Luffy is a risk taker, smart, dumb, and brave. Luffy is relentlessly upbeat about everything most of the time, but he also gets to be angry and sad. When he shows those feelings it lets you know his character more. The acting choice really worked with this character, and hence made the whole show work.

Luffy is the personification of freedom, hence why he wants to be a pirate. But every pirate the adult Luffy runs into are bad: destroying towns and killing or taking slaves (Alvida) or literal captive audiences for their ego (Buggy) or forced to pay back breaking tribute to them (Arlong). These pirates may have started out like Luffy, embracing adventure and freedom, but after 20 years of not achieving their dreams and leaving them with crushed egos, they become cruel and subjugate others just to prove the illusion of strength and power. They are just as obsessed with how they are perceived as today’s youths on Instagram. The first pirate we meet through adult Luffy was Alvida, she learned from a captive that she’s not even on the pirate bounty hunter's list and killed the captive out of petty wounded ego. Buggy the clown pirate rants about not having a spotlight and Arlong gives one to many pity parties over humans not respecting his species.

In contrast, Luffy doesn’t care how others see him as, letting others choose to see him as a villain or hero. He doesn't do what he does to be seen as good but because he wants. He frees Kobe from Alivida and due to his enslavement from pirates, it’s understandable that Kobe has a rather dim views of them and he joins the Marines to protect people from pirates. But similar to Luffy’s experience, Kobe learns that some Marines are corrupt and make deals with some pirates to either line their own pockets or to maintain the Old Guard. But just like Luffy, Kobe does not allow the challenges to his world view to deter him from his dreams of becoming a good Marine and reform the institution, just like Luffy wants to restore piracy to their glory days of adventuring.

I liked how it was pointed out that the pirate’s personal freedom and the bounty of their heads turned it into a literal “price of freedom”. The more they exercise their freedom as pirate, the more they must shoulder results of their actions. Some pirates embraced it, others found it suffocating as they can’t let down their guard and even kill their own crewmen out of paranoia.

Despite Kobe’s low key persona, he probably has the strongest will out of all the characters. The show does a good job showing the paradox of two friends who have completely opposite and colliding dreams (one a pirate and the other a marine) yet they still choose to act with integrity with one another.

The show gives a lot respect to parental figures. Every character has a background that can be traced to important people who imparted them with good morals, which lead them to what they are today. Even when they disagree or clash, both parties can see eye to eye and no one is portrayed as an asshole or antiquated just because they are not hip with the kids. The relationship between Zeff and Sanji was especially emotional, that good bye was an honest manly tear jerker.

Nami has the quiet intensity that has one of the best backstory. She was strong without being a girl boss, and she was allowed to break down and be vulnerable. The boys were allowed to protect and help her, and it drew them closer as a crew. Sure, Luffy has the strength and heart, and Zorro has the strength, skills and loyalty, and Sanji has fight skills that rivals his cooking skills, but Nami is possibly the smartest one of the lot of them. It just occurred to me Strawhats literally can't function without her because no one else seems to know how to navigate the sea.

The music was freaking excellent and did a terrific job at capturing the spirit of adventure, which is key to One Piece's story. It felt like goofier and more playful Pirates of the Caribbean, and it reminded me how much fun the OG was.

Conclusion: One Piece's first season is full of heart, optimism, excitement, and charm. Villains are clearly defined and heroes strive to do what's right. I enjoyed the earnest campiness equally with the earnest wholesome vibe. Sure there where some dark as hell moments, but it never lets that fee like the point. Luffy is a golden hearted character that believes I the best in the world around him, and the show unabashedly puts that on display without feeling the need to cynically tear it down. I feel feel that a lot of modern media is most scared to be that sincere in its optimism, like people won’t take it seriously if the story isn’t cynical and cruel. The genius of the One Piece is it gets people to take the story seriously in spite of the pure zaniness because it feels like old fashioned escapist storytelling Hollywood used to be capable of producing. Characters are layered and worth caring for. The core idea of following your dreams and encouraging the dreams of those around you merely uses pirate fantasy as its delivery system.

#One Piece

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impermanent-art · 2 years

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'Grana'

Tribute to Kobe Bryant / Gigi Bryant / Granity in DTLA by Odeith and Nikkolas Smith.

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empress-hancock · 3 months

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They are making three statues of this nasty rapist!!!

#link #article

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kicksaddictny · 3 months

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Unveiling the Monument: Los Angeles Lakers Introduce 19-Foot Tribute to Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers Honor Kobe Bryant with Unveiling of 19-Foot Statue

In a poignant tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers have revealed a striking 19-foot statue at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena. Crafted from 4,000 pounds of bronze by sculptor Julie Rotblatt Amrany, the statue commemorates one of Bryant's most iconic moments in the NBA.

The chosen pose, personally selected by Bryant himself, immortalizes his career-defining achievement: the unforgettable 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006, leading the Lakers to a resounding 122-104 victory. Vanessa Bryant, addressing the audience before the statue's unveiling, emphasized Kobe's personal involvement in the pose selection, asserting, "For the record, Kobe picked the pose you're about to see. So if anyone has any issues with it…tough shit." She expressed gratitude to Kobe's global fanbase, acknowledging their unwavering support over the years and underscoring the significance of the moment for both Kobe and his devoted followers.

In the statue, Bryant is depicted donning his iconic No. 8 jersey, with his right arm raised triumphantly. Surrounding the statue are five championship trophies, symbolizing the five NBA titles he secured during his illustrious career. In a touching gesture at the request of the Bryant family, the names of all four of Kobe's daughters are displayed as tattoos on the statue's arm, despite only one being born at the time of his historic 81-point game.

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#kobe #kicksaddict #lakers #Kobebryant #goat #Instagram

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cooledtured · 8 months

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NBA 2K24 Has Arrived: Elevating Gaming to New Heights

A New Era Begins: NBA 2K24 Launches Today

The moment basketball enthusiasts and gamers worldwide have been waiting for has finally arrived. NBA 2K24 is the latest release of the popular franchise that players can now enjoy. As of September 8, 2023, the gaming world is ready to embrace the next level of basketball gaming. Let’s explore the incredible features that make NBA 2K24 a monumental release.

Unified Launch Across Platforms: A Shared Experience

Marking a milestone in the gaming calendar, NBA 2K24 has launched simultaneously across various platforms. Whether you’re on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or PC, the experience is consistent and dynamic.

Unveiling the Future: ProPLAY Technology

NBA 2K24 introduces ProPLAY technology, propelling the gaming experience into uncharted territory. With this groundbreaking innovation, players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are in for an unparalleled level of realism. The virtual court comes to life like never before, seamlessly blending the lines between actual NBA gameplay and the virtual world. ProPLAY promises to redefine how we perceive sports simulation in gaming.

Honoring Legends: Kobe Bryant on the Cover

Kobe Bryant, an icon in the basketball realm, takes center stage on the cover of NBA 2K24 for the fourth time. The Mamba Moments mode allows players to immerse themselves in the journey of this legendary player. Following in the footsteps of the highly-acclaimed ‘The Jordan Challenge’ mode, Mamba Moments offers an opportunity to relive Bryant’s most iconic performances, a tribute to his everlasting influence on the sport.

Celebrating 25 Years: Exclusive Anniversary Edition

NBA 2K24 commemorates its 25th anniversary with an exclusive Anniversary Edition, featuring an array of exciting bonuses, including an NBA League Pass. Season 1 introduces the season pass, providing players with an assortment of rewards through both free and premium tracks, offering a diverse range of in-game content to enhance the gaming experience.

Diverse Gameplay and Monetization

NBA 2K24’s MyTEAM mode, MyCareer storyline, and MyNBA offer players diverse and engaging gameplay experiences, complemented by innovative monetization options. The introduction of battle passes adds a new layer of depth, fostering discussions within the gaming community due to the pricing structure.

A New Era of Basketball Gaming

In conclusion, as NBA 2K24 graces our screens on September 8, 2023, the landscape of basketball gaming is forever changed. With the advent of ProPLAY technology, the presence of Kobe Bryant, and an array of immersive gameplay modes, NBA 2K24 is set to redefine our expectations of sports simulation. The countdown to September 8 has ended, and the era of NBA 2K24 is upon us, promising an unparalleled gaming experience that bridges the gap between sports and innovation.

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FERNANDO ORTIZ | Writer POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST cooledtured.com | GROW YOUR COLLECTION

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elyxirshifting · 10 months

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Hunger Games DR

Basically in this DR I'm gonna be the youngest victor of the Hunger Games ever (at age 12, I decided this to purely one up Finnick, I am that petty), obvious warnings for death being mentioned and mentions of basically any topics mentioned in the books as I'm shifting to a book accurate version of the universe.

Basic information

Name: Elyxir Callisto Fay (Ely, Elyx)

Birthday: 09/17/59 (for context the first year of the hunger games is year 1, this is a result of me being lazy as shit and not wanting to work out an appropriate time in the future, so using our time it's probably along the lines of 09/17/2359 or something)

Sexuality: Lesbian

Pronouns: They/she

Age when I first shift: 9 (yes there is a reason)

Home District: District 1

Faceclaim: I look mostly like myself in this reality except my hair is a touch lighter and is longer and slightly wavy plus blue eyes

Important people in my DR (friends, family, mentors):

Family: [Mother’s Name]

Citrine Fay

[Mother’s Age]

[Mother’s Occupation]

Perfumer

[Father’s Name]

Brilliance Fay

[Father’s Age]

[Father’s Occupation]

Craftsperson

[Sister’s Name]

Gallica Fay (Alli)

[Sister’s Age]

[Brother’s Name]

Luncan Fay (Lun)

[Brother’s Age]

[Brother’s Name]

Secret Fay (Ret)

[Brother’s Age]

[Sister’s Name]

Selenite Fay (Leni)

[Sister’s Age]

[Sister’s Name]

Macaroon Fay (Carrie)

[Sister’s Age]

[Brother’s Name]

Velvet Fay (Vel)

[Brother’s Age]

[Sister’s Name]

Vivid Fay (Vivi)

[Sister’s Age]

All of my siblings also attend the training academy

Friends: Glimmer, her birthday is 7/27/58 (I don't have an image to show what she looks like in my mind as I'm going for how I imagined her in the books cause I thought she'd be cool and I'm super gay, she doens't die in her games either, cause she's the solo winner cause I decided Peeta will win the 73rd and then the 75th quell twist is the same but cause of rules Katniss ends up in the 75th but I have her role as mockingjay)

I also befriend Johanna and Finnick after my games, again going for book accuracy, I don't have the energy to search for a picture

Mentors:

Cashmere and Gloss. They're Glimmer's cousins in my DR, Cashmere won her games at 15 and Gloss won his at 16. I actually found pictures that more or less look like I pictured them so that's good.

My games:

My games are the 72nd Hunger Games, the other tributes in the game are as followed

Prince, 17, D1

Calista, 17, D2

Orion, 18, D2

Chip, 15, D3

Dell, 16, D3

Brooke, 15, D4

Dylan, 17, D4

Lunar, 16, D5

Dean, 15, D5

Elaine, 13, D6

Aaron, 12, D6

Hazel, 18, D7

Jude, 13, D7

Camisole, 16, D8

Sterling, 14, D8

Adalina, 15, D9

Herman, 18, D9

Bessie, 17, D10

Kobe, 17, D10

Autumn, 18, D11

Fraser, 16, D11

Ivy, 18, D12

Jett, 16, D12

I won't write every small detail of my games as there's a lot but I'll add some pictures that'll look like parts of the arena

The arena is like a magical otherworld, there are unicorns in the arena, they attack anyone that appears to be a threat to them, so typically older tributes.

Before all of that though, basically I tested into the academy early and so I'd been at the academy since I was like 5 so I was already planning to volunteer that year but it turns out Glimmer was reaped so I had an even better reason which helped play into my character I put on for the games, confident that I'll do really well for someone my age not that I'd necessarily win but that I'd be able to hold my own, someone that would do anything to protect people she cares about, capitol audiences really loved that.

Glimmer and I are the district 1 tributes that get sent into the Quater Quell, they change the rules even further to allow for two previous victors of the same gender to be chosen for the quell.

I'll probably add more stuff to this anyway

#Hunger Games DR #reality shifting #reality shifter #shiftblr #shifting #desired reality #shifters #shifting community

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cyarskaren52 · 8 months

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Fans honor Kobe and Gianna Bryant on the three-year anniversary of their passing

Fans on Twitter are honoring Kobe and Gianna with the trending topic RIP Bean, which references the NBA legend’s nickname.

Today (Jan. 26), fans from all over the world are remembering Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant on the three-year anniversary of their death.

In 2020, Kobe, Gianna, and six of their friends — John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, and Christina Mauser — were on their way to a basketball tournament at Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. The group was in a helicopter flown by pilot Ara Zobayan when it crashed on a hillside in Calabasas, just 14 miles away from their destination.

In June of 2021, Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters, which was settled for an undisclosed amount.

Fans on Twitter are honoring Kobe and Gianna with the trending hashtag, RIP Bean, which references the NBA legend’s nickname. “Three years have gone since Kobe Bryant’s death. Many of us may agree that since that day, something has been odd. That’s how he was. Through souls like this, God ignites the world. Bean, RIP. Everyday, you are missed! RIP Bean. #BeanBoy #RipLegend,” StorriTalk wrote.

Three years have gone since Kobe Bryant's death. Many of us may agree that since that day, something has been odd. That's how he was. Through souls like this, God ignites the world. Bean, RIP. Every day, you are missed! 🥹 RIP Bean #BeanBoy #RipLegendpic.twitter.com/LgfT6Uw3QW — Storritalk (@StorriTalk) January 26, 2023

“It’s hard to believe it’s been three years, Kobe and Gigi, since you have been gone. You will always be missed. RIP Bean #RipGigi #RIPKobe,” said James Riley.

It’s hard to believe it’s been three years Kobe and Gigi since you have been gone. You will always be missed. RIP Bean #RipGigi #RIPKobepic.twitter.com/mWH3s0SNQM — James Riley (@james_riley12) January 26, 2023

“Still hurts. Always will,” Porscha Coleman tweeted.

Still hurts. Always will 💔🙏🏽 #KobeBryant#GiannaBryant #fatherdaughter #MambaForever#KobeAndGiGi https://t.co/e9uBJXCXK4 — Porscha Coleman (@PorschaColeman) January 26, 2023

Joseph Vincent wrote, “Kobe Bryant was a freak of nature. Remarkable feats were commonplace to him. Remember when he scored 62 in [three] quarters? Outscoring the Mavs’ entire team by himself? How about when he scored 81? Let’s remember together. Rip Bean.”

Kobe Bryant was a freak of nature. Remarkable feats were commonplace to him. Remember when he scored 62 in 3 quarters? Outscoring the Mavs entire team by himself? How about when he scored 81? Let's remember together. Rip Bean. pic.twitter.com/JTEiDJSyNo — Joseph Vincent (@BoredFilm) January 26, 2023

“This year I am 24. I will honor Kobe by my dedication to the game. RIP Bean,” another Twitter user wrote.

This year I am 24. I will honor Kobe by my dedication to the Game. RIP Bean https://t.co/umQXczT1DH — Trevor I. Lewis (@TrevorILewis1) January 26, 2023

“First celebrity death that I actually shed tears over. One of the craziest days ever. RIP Bean,” J. Moore said.

First celebrity death that I actually shed tears over. One of the craziest days ever. RIP, Bean 💜💛 https://t.co/5MYriGI0YF — J. Moore (@JonWas_Here) January 26, 2023

See more tributes to Kobe and Gianna below:

Rip to Kobe, Gianna, and the 7 others that lost their lives in the helicopter crash 3 years ago today 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/YHjhpBk6Tw — WAVE¥™️ 👑🌊 (@welovekanyeTM) January 26, 2023

The death of Kobe, Gianna, and their close friends still don’t sit well with me. Sending prayers to their families 🤍 — Lani (@Lanierbear) January 26, 2023

Damn I can't believe it's been 3 years today. RIP Bean and Gigi 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/uul27W6YpD — Candace (@StayTruThinkBlu) January 26, 2023

The world stopped 3 yrs ago… RIP Bean 🙏🏾🕊️😪💛💜 pic.twitter.com/GOhtpIfREo — Eazy (@aint__eazy) January 26, 2023

Who does this type of shit? Lmao different breed. RIP Bean man 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FpV3vO5mFK — Washed (@CousinJawon) January 26, 2023

This Kobe Bryant video is exactly what you need to see right now💯 Mamba Forever 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/Ywl41JpQJh — Mamba Insider (@Mamba_Insider) January 26, 2023

RIP Bean ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/qnNetZpNQZ — Elizabeth Carroll (@3beth11) January 26, 2023

Sent from my iPhone

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dnowit41 · 9 months

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Dirk Nowitzki's journey from Germany to Dallas to the Hall of Fame

By Steve Aschburner

His shot became his signature, that signature became a statue. It’s planted there now for the long term, emblematic of Dirk Nowitzki himself, who came to the Dallas Mavericks a quarter century ago and never left.

Resplendent in white bronze, 24 feet high, over on the right wing of Victory Plaza outside the American Airlines Center, Nowitzki is immortalized in the shooting form that earned him so many of his 35,223 points (regular and postseason). It earned him a bevy of admirers, too, among peers and rivals like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James who adopted the big German sharpshooter’s one-legged fadeaway as both a tactic and an homage.

“The Dirk,” as that shot has been dubbed, is here to stay. Both as a weapon – “the equivalent of what Abdul-Jabbar did with his sky hook,” one opposing coach said the other day, both awed and irritated by its effectiveness – and as a tribute, frozen in time, the distillation of 21 seasons and 1,667 games logged with the only NBA team for which he ever played.

One city, one franchise? Only Utah Hall of Famer John Stockton (1,686) ever played more.

It’s funny, though, how a player celebrated for staying planted in one place for more than two decades could have traveled so far and covered such ground in the process. It showed in his game, the way he developed, refined and tweaked his unique style until he had dragged the whole position with him.

“Watching him play, I remember thinking, he’s just getting better and better and better,” said Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, one of the NBA’s greatest power forwards. “And he really changed things around the way the position is played.”

It showed in Nowitzki’s influence, a European prospect who came over younger than most of the imports who preceded him and shined so brightly that, well before he was done, he was regarded as the best player ever from that continent. Fifty-one Most Valuable Player trophies had been handed out in NBA history before Nowitzki won the 52nd as the first Euro. Now guys from Greece and Serbia have taken home four of the past five.

“Every tall kid around the world saw Dirk,” Mavs owner Mark Cuban said, “and realized they could play basketball and not have to be a back-to-the-basket center. Dirk paved the way for players of any size to be multi-positional and have a variety of in-game skills.”

Certainly Nowitzki, 45, moved geographically in a career that spanned half his life, from Wurzburg, Germany, to Dallas and now to Springfield, Mass., where he will be inducted Aug. 12 into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the Class of 2023. He has been there once before, in 2018 when a pair of his point guards – Steve Nash and Jason Kidd – were both enshrined. This time, those two will be official Hall presenters for their tall teammate. Nowitzki’s guest list for the weekend – after wife Jessica and their kids Malaika (10), Max (8) and Morris (6) – ran “a couple hundred, I think” at least in invitees, if not attendees.

His speech is pretty much done. “It’s been fun,” Nowitzki told NBA.com recently by phone from Germany. “Really what you’re doing, you’re reflecting on the whole journey. Who’s meant the most, who’s done what. I’ve actually found it cool to sit down in the evening after everyone’s in bed and I sit here for an hour and think about that stuff.

“There will be a little nervousness. But I’m also going to enjoy standing up there and looking out at this amazing crowd of family and friends and great athletes. I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as I can.”

From Germany To Dallas

His father, Jörg-Werner, competed internationally in team handball. His mother Helga and his older sister Silke played basketball.

“Growing up I was always in gyms,” said Nowitzki, who mostly played handball and tennis. “I was tall, and I played basketball in school. I had a cousin who was with a club team, so I went one time to practice and I got hooked. I wasn’t very good but I could move pretty well for a big guy and I had decent touch for my size. It didn’t come that hard for me, and I loved it from Day 1.”

After joining DJK Wurzburg, Nowitzki was spotted by Holger Gerschwindner, a former national team player turned physicist, trainer and coach. Gerschwindner offered to work with the lanky lad, got the family’s permission, then began to hone every aspect of Nowitzki’s game.

One part guru, one part Svengali to Nowitzki’s Trilby, Gerschwindner favored unorthodox techniques and drills to coax out his players’ abilities. For instance, he would invite an old friend who played the saxophone to the gym, then instruct Nowitzki and other teen players to dribble and move in rhythm with the music (“dance the game,” he termed it). He gave them books and swapped out weight training with morning rowing on a local lake.

“Holger was a little bit mystical figure in Dirk’s orbit who thought completely out of the box,” said Golden State assistant coach Ron Adams, an international scout for Portland in 1998. “He’s a little full of himself and some people look sideways at him, but they let Holger do his thing for the most part in Dallas.”

At 19, Nowitzki had developed enough to be invited to the Nike Hoop Summit, an All-Star event pitting the top international prospects against a squad of U.S. high schoolers. The game was held in San Antonio, but the foreign players convened and practiced in Dallas.

Donnie Nelson, son of Mavericks coach Don Nelson, served as a volunteer assistant coach for the overseas team. A stint with Athletes in Action playing internationally during his time at Wheaton College piqued the younger Nelson’s interest in the NBA potential of foreign-bred players.

“We scouted Europe more than anybody, really,” Don Nelson told NBA.com last week, calling from his home in Maui. “Donnie got the international team to work out at the YMCA in downtown Dallas. So for a full week, I’m watching Dirk work out. He was the most unbelievable young player I’d ever seen.”

Other teams perked up after Nowitzki scored 33 points with 14 rebounds to spark his team’s upset of the Americans, including Al Harrington, Quentin Richardson and Rashard Lewis. But as the 1998 NBA Draft approached, the Nelsons were ready.

“We hid Dirk for several weeks before the draft,” Nelson said. “We made a commitment that we were going to draft him. We just wanted to keep him from going anywhere else to work out. He was going to be ours. He was happy with that. So he hid for a week in Donnie’s basement.”

The Mavericks held the No. 6 pick that year but had more ambitious plans than simply taking Nowitzki at that spot. They arranged a deal with Milwaukee at No. 9, in which Dallas picked Michigan’s Robert (Tractor) Traylor and the Bucks took Nowitzki. They knew Boston had interest, leaving the Celtics to draft Paul Pierce at No. 10.

The Bucks also sent the No. 19 selection, Pat Garrity, to Dallas, which promptly packaged Garrity to Phoenix for a young point guard named Steve Nash.

The Early Years

The 1998-99 NBA season is one that lots of folks would like to forget. First of all, there was no 1998; a labor lockout wiped out training camps and the season’s first two-plus months. The new CBA that was wrangled in January was followed by a frenzied 50-game schedule that began in February. Summer leagues, orientation, September individual work and scrimmages, everything an incoming rookie needs for that first difficult season was off the table.

Then there was Nowitzki, who had just turned 20 and, by his and Gerschwindner’s admission, was probably one or two years ahead of schedule in trying the NBA.

“It was right after they drafted me,” Nowitzki said, “that I had the doubts. Should I go to the NBA? I was skinny, I had played second division in Germany. Can I make this jump?

“I talked to Nellie and Donnie. I got to meet Steve and Mike [Finley], and they all assured me, being a young team, we could grow together. So before I left from home, I said I’d come. But I wasn’t able to sign a contract because of the lockout, and that worked out kind of perfect for me.

“I got to stay home. I got to train with Holger. I got to play first division in Germany for a couple more months and really developed my body a little more, my game. Then I got the call in late January from Donnie. ‘Hey, the season is on. Get your butt to Dallas!'”

Let the record show, in his NBA debut on Feb. 5, 1999, Nowitzki shot 0-for-5, made two free throws, got no rebounds and passed for four assists in 16:20 of an overtime loss to Seattle. That first season, he averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 40.5% overall and 20.6% on 3s. The Mavericks finished 19-31 but the Nelsons made good on their commitment, using Nowitzki in 47 games and starting him in 24, including the final 14 when his minutes doubled to 32.9 per game.

“Super nervous and anxious,” he recalled. “I didn’t know what to expect. We had a week of training camp maybe. I didn’t know all the plays or the defensive calls. Then we had five or six games in a week? It was insane. Looking back, it was good for me to get adjusted and learning. But it was tough to go through.”

There was one bright side: Nash. The unheralded playmaker from British Columbia by way of Santa Clara had been buried in the Suns backcourt his first two seasons. He and the German rookie clicked instantly.

“Well, they both loved to drink beer, so I’d say they clicked,” Nelson said, laughing. “They hung out. They both were single at the time.”

It was a lot more than that, Nowitzki said.

“We came to Dallas on the same day,” he said. “We didn’t have any friends. We lived in the same apartment complex. His family is from Europe, and he loved soccer. So we had that and we completely bonded. We went to dinners. I was feeling homesick so he’d take me to movies, out to eat.

“On free nights, we’d go back to the gym, train, lift, run, shoot, play 1-on-1. We just worked our way to be better and better every year. Steve knew the league, the routines and how to get ready. So I learned a lot from him.”

In his second season, during which Cuban bought the franchise, Nowitzki doubled his output to 17.5 points and 6.5 boards while shooting 46.1% overall and 37.9% from range. He averaged 21.8 in 2000-01 as he and Nash became a devastating pick-and-pop combo, and the Mavericks won 53 games in the first of 11 consecutive years of 50-plus victories. The next season, the guard and the forward were All-Stars.

“The crazy part still is, when he got to the NBA, people were upset that he didn’t play like a traditional center,” Cuban said. “They asked why he wasn’t a rim protector. It’s insane to look back at that now.”

Nash went back to Phoenix in free agency in 2004. Finley was gone a year later. Jason Terry came in, and later Kidd. Their coaches changed, from Nelson to Avery Johnson to Rick Carlisle. But Nowitzki was the cornerstone and he was on a roll. He went to 11 All-Star games in a row and 14 overall. He was a 12-time All-NBA selection. In 2006 he led Dallas to the Finals for the first time. The next season, the Mavs won 67 games and Nowitzki won his MVP award.

The coaching changes, never easy, panned out for him. Nelson tapped into Nowitzki’s rare combo of size and ball skills, using him as a lengthy small forward. He was 26 when Johnson took over, demanding more toughness, post work and even defense from his offensive star. Carlisle, who coached him from 2008 until Nowitzki retired in 2019, was a combination, wanting “a lot of free-flow offense and a lot of structured, detail-oriented defense.”

“I always thought, what if I had gone someplace else? Bulked me up and just put me under the basket and made a center out of me. With Nellie, that never happened,” Nowitzki said.

Johnson perfected Dallas’ use of Nowitzki at the “nail,” the center of the free-throw line where he posed the maximum threat to opposing defenses. It enabled him to punish smaller defenders that would switch onto him, without the time and grind to work into the low post, and likely draw a doubling big man.

“The spacing was good,” he said. “I wasn’t the greatest passer, but at least this way, I knew where my spot-up shooters were. I knew the big guy was in the dunker spot underneath. And if nobody came to double, I was going to just shoot over the little guy.”

As for Carlisle, that partnership produced the highlight of their careers and Cuban’s tenure, Maverick fans’ warmest memories, one of the city’s happiest sports celebrations and a reason so many junior-high kids named Dirk are running around.

“I came in the fall of 2008,” Carlisle said last week, “and the main thing was, ‘Dirk’s got about 4-5 years in his prime. We’ve got to figure out a way to win a championship."

‘Now I’m The Old Guy’

Nowitzki was 14 years old when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and the rest of the Dream Team colonized the basketball world during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

“I was already an NBA fan and with Jordan winning his first championship in 1991, I became a huge Bulls fan,” Nowitzki said. “Then obviously ’92 happened. I had posters in my room of [Charles] Barkley, Shaq later on, Jordan of course, Bird.”

He had a poster, too, of Detlef Schrempf, the native of Leverkusen, Germany who was drafted eighth overall in 1985 by an earlier Dallas regime. Schrempf, a 6-foot-10 forward, grew up in Centralia, Wash., and spent four years at the University of Washington. He played 16 seasons, averaging 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Later playing for Indiana, Seattle and Portland, Schrempf made three All-Star teams, one All-NBA squad and twice was named the NBA’s top Sixth Man.

Of the 27 NBA players born in Germany, Schrempf is the closest precursor to Nowitzki.

“Of course, Detlef was also one of my favorites. Everybody in Germany knew how good he was,” Nowitzki said. “And then my first game in the league, it was against Seattle and Detlef. The way he treated me there, introduced me to his family, he couldn’t have been nicer. He gave me his phone number and told me to call if I ever had any questions.”

Other notable European players have made their marks before or since. Players such as Sarunas Marciulionis, Drazen Petrovic, Vlade Divac, Andre Kirilenko, Rik Smits, Toni Kukoc and Tony Parker right on to Domantas Sabonis, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

Now Nowitzki is their flag bearer, a role that makes him almost as proud as when he carried Germany’s flag in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“I got to play with [Mavs forward] Maxi Kleber my last two years. How special is that, a kid from my hometown comes to us? We spent a lot of time together, before the season we trained together and he had a lot of questions,” Nowitzki said.

“And [Toronto guard] Dennis Schröder, when he got in the league, he actually worked out in Dallas before the Draft. I went there, got to see him, got to meet him and gave him my number. Told him when he had any questions to call me up. So we’ve basically been in contact his entire career.

“Now I’m the old guy. It changes so fast. Twenty years have flown by.”

Dirk Stays With Dallas, Wins 2011 Title

This bond of Nowitzki with Dallas, Dallas with Nowitzki, is something to savor now, full of giddy moments and fuzzy nostalgia. But it was forged in hard times, ordeals that are only appreciated in retrospect and even then with a wince. The early days with the Mavericks had been a challenge for Nowitzki, but nowhere close to what he and the team’s fan base endured a few years later.

In 2005-2006, Dallas won 60 games. Nowitzki averaged a career-best 26.6 points, finished third in MVP balloting and – with teammates such as Terry, Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse – once again was the lone All-Star.

“Dirk played with Jason Kidd near the end of his career and Jason was still a great player, but he did not play with a bunch of Hall of Fame players in their prime,” Carlisle said. “Nash left before he really hit his stride. Dirk carried an amazing load with the Dallas Mavericks over a period of two-plus decades that may never be rivaled again.”

Nowitzki was his usual stellar self in leading the Mavs in the 2006 playoffs to series victories over Memphis, San Antonio and Phoenix, with his Game 7 work to beat the Spurs overtime in the West semis most remarkable. He and the Mavericks took a 2-0 lead over Miami in the Finals. Then Dwyane Wade happened, the young Heat star binging at 39.3 points and shooting 73 free throws over the final four games.

The Mavericks regrouped to win 67 games in 2006-07. They were so good, with Nowitzki as MVP, they dragged Howard to his only All-Star selection. Heavily favored against small-ball, eighth-seeded Golden State, Dallas was upset in six games, including defeats by 12, 18 and 25 points. Their old mastermind Nelson was working the Warriors’ sideline at that point, and his insider defense on Nowitzki saw the Mavs star score just eight points on 2-of-13 shooting in the elimination game.

“It would have been unbelievable to win in ’06,” he said. “And then losing in the first round in ’07 to the Warriors, those were some tough, tough losses. Gut-wrenching, to the point where I was embarrassed and disappointed and didn’t want to leave the house for a couple weeks.”

In fact, the only thing that blocked him from a hasty retreat to Germany that spring was the NBA, asking him to stick stateside for a couple of weeks until the MVP presentation.

Another first-round loss in 2008, to New Orleans this time, cost Johnson his job. Carlisle came in but two more abrupt exits followed, to Denver in the 2009 semis and to San Antonio in 2010.

Nowitzki was 32 and, for the first time in his career, a free agent. Three years earlier, a perennial All-NBA forward had accepted a trade in hopes of winning a championship elsewhere: Kevin Garnett left Minnesota after 12 years and insufficient help to finally win in Boston. Was Nowitzki next?

“I always wanted to make it happen,” Nowitzki said. “I met with Mark [Cuban] and we both got a little emotional about what we’d been through together. And he said, ‘Let’s finish this together,’ and I was like, ‘I don’t want to be anywhere else.’ I ended up signing a four-year deal and we won a championship in the first year.”

The 2010-11 Mavericks did more than that. They delayed and possibly altered the trajectory of LeBron James’ grandiose Super Team plans in Miami. The “not one, not two, not three…” hubris of that initial public appearance of James, Wade and Chris Bosh became the thud of “not one” when Dallas and Nowitzki beat the Heat in six games.

Said McHale: “Kidd was really, really smart. Just knew how to play. Some of the guys were older, too. They had a blend of guys who just played so well together. They would do this 2-3 zone when I was [visiting Carlisle] in camp and I told Rick, ‘Your zone sucks. You’ve got to stop using that.’ Hell, they played that zone in the Finals. They had a bunch of high-IQ guys. And pro’s pros. They were not going to beat themselves.

“But the thing I remember the most was Dirk making these unbelievable shots down the stretches of games. He’d make a crazy shot to give them breathing room all the time.”

At this point, Nowitzki believes the elation of 2011 never happens if not for the heartbreaks that came before.

“In 2011, I was the finisher I needed to be in the final moments,” he said. “In ’06 and ’07 I just wasn’t quite there yet to make the big baskets. It wasn’t fun to go through those years when we were favorites but it’s part of my journey and it made me a better player and person for sure.”

Nobody quibbles with that last part. Nowitzki’s lack of drama and pretense drew mentions time and again from people contacted for this story.

“He was the greatest superstar teammate that I’ve ever seen,” Carlisle said. “He had a really humble demeanor, he knew who he was, he knew what his responsibility was.”

Shawn Marion, the 2011 teammate who refers to Nowitzki as the “7-Foot Rainbow Assassin,” also said: “His ego never got in the way of what the biggest goal was. He’s a quiet leader. And he had a bit of a joker side to him too.”

And over the years, with Nowitzki now focused on family, a low-demand Mavericks consultancy and a relaxed TBD future, those close to him have reconciled the global icon vs. Mavericks fixture split.

“Dirk became very Americanized,” Carlisle said, “where Germany and Europe could feel like he was theirs, and the people of Dallas could feel like he was theirs. And no one needed to fight about it.”

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