i was younger when it happened but other sports stars that had similar fate that come to mind.. earnhardt? Nascar isn't as big as the NBA tho so may not have been as traumatic
There are definitely similarities there.
NASCAR was way bigger in the late 90s in a relative sense. It was probably second behind the NFL at the time. The NBA is probably in second place now, though.
Both came into the sport almost from birth. Both had very strong paternal influence over that, and neither of them had much for a formal education.
Both died relatively young and unexpectedly -- I know Kobe was done playing while Earnhardt was still racing, but both of them had decades ahead of them as the "elder statesman" and spokesman for the sport yet to come.
Both of them were perhaps the defining figure and hero that got them into the sport for an up-and-coming generation of competitors starting to come into their own.
Both were known as being homicidal in their levels of competitiveness on the field of competition but secretly generous and a sounding board for others off it.
Both died in selfless ways involved with their sport while being surpassed by younger protégés... Earnhardt after blocking for Michael Waltrip and Dale Jr., both driving cars he owned, and Kobe taking his teenage daughter to her game the day after LeBron passed him on the all-time scoring list, seemingly proud of him for doing it.
Both had a reputation for speaking the unvarnished truth.
Both personified their sport.
Heck, both personified a certain type of American manhood.
And even on the downside, both of their reputations survived accusations of sexual misconduct that at least included extramarital affairs (if not more).
