Kings lose their greatest adversary with Kobe Bryant's tragic death

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Shocked. Stunned. Saddened.

The Sunday morning news that NBA legend, Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, as well as seven others, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California, rocked the sports world.

Bryant, 41, spent 20 years in the league and for much of it, it seemed like he only stuck around to torment the Sacramento Kings. 

There was no greater villain to Kings. You loved to hate him, but also hated to love him.

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In the infamous Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Bryant creased Mike Bibby across the face with an elbow with 11.8 seconds remaining. It was Bibby who was called for the foul and Bryant walked to the line to give the Lakers a 105-102 lead. 

In Game 7, Bryant torched the Kings for 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Lakers advanced to the NBA Finals, where they won their third straight title. 

Bryant was the mountain the Kings could never get over. Even when Sacramento was no longer a viable contender, Bryant found other ways to stick it to the team. 

On April 13, 2011, the Kings trailed by 20 in the early fourth quarter in the final game of the season. 

A rag tag group that included Tyreke Evans, Jason Thompson and Marcus Thornton rallied and took a three-point lead over the Lakers with 9.6 seconds remaining. 

With 4.8 seconds left in the fourth, Bryant drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime. In a meaningless contest for a 58-win Lakers team at the end of the season, Bryant wouldn’t let Kings fans have one last hurrah.

He scored five points in the overtime session to beat the Kings in what many believed would be the last game in Sacramento before the team relocated to Anaheim. Without question, this was the most emotional night in Arco Arena history and Bryant was the catalyst of one more Kings defeat.

His talent was undeniable. His work ethic was beyond legendary. He was a fierce competitor and he had ice water in his veins.

Following his career, Bryant used his celebrity status to continue his philanthropic endeavors. The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant foundation gives back to underprivileged youth programs.

He won an Oscar for his video short, “Dear Basketball” and he had plenty of other interests outside of the game that made him a household name.

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Heartfelt sympathies go out to Bryant family, the Lakers organization and millions of Kobe Bryant fans throughout the world. 

In his life he ripped the hearts out of the chests of Kings fans on so many occasions. In his death, he did the same. 

RIP, Black Mamba.

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