he extent to which Kobe Bryant has been deeply, personally mourned by fans across the country, from cities that once only spoke his name as a bitter curse—full disclosure, mine included—has been remarkable.
It's undeniably tragic that a 41-year old man would die in a helicopter crash, leaving his family behind; and the public grief is especially understandable in Los Angeles, where his 20-year career made him a fan favorite. NBA fans also know, however, that Bryant relished his role as something of a public villain, decried in turn for his occasionally selfish play, antagonistic style, and off-the-court controversy. Bryant was a competitor whose intensity got in the way of teamwork, and over the course of his career, he would drive not just his opponents, but league officials, executives and even teammates to frustration. Not that he cared—just count the five championships.
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