Today on AirTalk, we remember the life of Kobe Bryant, who died at the age of 41 yesterday in a helicopter accident, and talk with listeners about the legacy the basketball star left behind. Also on the show, we give an update on the confirmed coronavirus cases in SoCal.
The Man, The Myth, The Legend, The Mamba: Remembering Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with sublime skills and an unquenchable competitive fire. He earned Los Angeles’ eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the beloved Lakers, and he was respected by basketball fans from every place with a hoop and a dream, including his native Philadelphia and in Italy, his other childhood home.
Less than four years into his retirement, Bryant was seizing new challenges and working to inspire his daughters’ generation through sports and storytelling when his next chapter ended shockingly early. Bryant, the 18-time All-Star who won five NBA championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career all with the Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41. The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Bryant was killed, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, and a different person familiar with the case confirmed Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died.
Today on AirTalk, we reflect on Kobe Bryant’s life and legacy with owner and executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times Patrick Soon-Shiong. We want to hear from you. What Kobe moments inspired you most? How did he impact your life? Join the on-air conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner and executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, and other publications under the California News Group;a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers since 2010
Coronavirus Now Confirmed In California. Where Does It Go From Here?
The U.S. has five confirmed cases of the new virus from China, all of whom traveled to the city that is the center of the outbreak, health officials said Sunday.
Two new cases were reported Sunday - one in Los Angeles County in California and the other in Maricopa County, Arizona. The others were a patient in Orange County, California, who was in isolation at a hospital and in good condition; a man in his 30s in Washington state; and a woman in her 60s from Chicago. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. It is a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the deadly SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Dozens of people have died from the virus in China, which has issued massive travel bans in hard-hit sections of that country to try to stem the spread of the virus. The U.S. consulate in Wuhan announced Sunday that it would evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. Today on AirTalk, we check in on the outlook of the virus.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Robert Garrova, KPCC reporter covering the Coronavirus; he tweets