Kobe uses a personal helicopter to travel from his home to Staples center every day

[QUOTE]A resounding yes, the 405 from Newport to Downtown LA is brutal.[/QUOTE]

Completely agree w/ the above. Even without traffic, it's almost a 1 hour drive. During rush hour, expect 3 hours.

Regarding helicopters and safety, the concern w/ them is mainly bad weather that causes them to crash (you'd be surprised how many medical helicopters crash for this reason). That could be one reason why he doesn't have a helipad at his house (for those of you who don't know the area, Newport Beach is often surrounded by dense fog, especially along the 71 private highway, where I'm assuming he lives since it's the more expensive homes).

[url]http://www.medpagetoday.com/Washington-Watch/Washington-Watch/12789[/url]

[QUOTE=Hammertime]This is a win-win situation. If Kobe takes a helicopter and survives, he gets to the game faster. If the helicopter crashes, he instantly becomes about twice as respected by the general population. It's how it works. Steve Ray Vaughan was actually a second-rate blues guitarist until he died in a helicopter crash.[/QUOTE]

I dont see how this is remotely funny.

[QUOTE=Hammertime]This is a win-win situation. If Kobe takes a helicopter and survives, he gets to the game faster. If the helicopter crashes, he instantly becomes about twice as respected by the general population. It's how it works. Steve Ray Vaughan was actually a second-rate blues guitarist until he died in a helicopter crash.[/QUOTE]

"second rate"??? WTF?
SRV was very well respected long before he died.

[QUOTE=gyu]Maintaining the helicopter + paying the pilot >>>> owning a car

Of course Kobe is insanely rich so money is not an issue, but once he starts declining and get paid significantly less he'll start feeling the effects.[/QUOTE]
by that time he'll be out of the league and won't need to constantly commute for basketball

It makes sense if you can afford it and are not scared of flying. Time is valuable. Who wants to waste 1-3 hours of driving instead of getting there in less than half hour (both way). Not only you have time to do other things but can be less tense by the time you get to the showtime center. Not to mention less risk of drive by shooting, idiots dropping stones over the freeway, slow annoying drivers, text messaging drivers, crazy fans, paparazi, and earthquake. You'd be so tire by the time you get there just by driving. I bet all superstars do the same if they live far away from their downtown arena.

Driving probably has more risk than flying. I wouldn't be surprise if some statistic shows that way.

Out of the tens of thousands of Kobe stans, no one can tell me the make and model of his helicopter? C'mon CantStop, you're slipping.

[QUOTE=pete's montreux]Out of the tens of thousands of Kobe stans, no one can tell me the make and model of his helicopter? C'mon CantStop, you're slipping.[/QUOTE]
We're not Paparazzi and stalkers.

the helicopter may actually save him money, given the value of his time.
don't be surprised if certain business entities are footing the bill for the helicopter too, such that, at worst, it is merely a write-off.

u guys do know if the helicopter is about to break kobe can just use a parachute ?

[QUOTE=pete's montreux]Out of the tens of thousands of Kobe stans, no one can tell me the make and model of his helicopter? C'mon CantStop, you're slipping.[/QUOTE]
Bell 407, pilots name is Donald "chipp" Reynolds, WM 39 years old originally from Montebello California, size 10 1/2 shoe prefers his coffee with a splash of half and half but mocha mix will do in a pinch, serverd two tours of duty in the coulmbian drug wars as a cia staff pilot. wife's name is Ilene, (38 26 32 blonde, green eyes, 5' 7'') former beauty queen from lexington ohio, finished runner up in the who's hootters R yooter looking at contest as a sophmore at ucmb.

I dont think people who live outside of LA area realize how bad traffic is over here. Saving an hour a day is huge, I don't blame him, he can pay for it.

[QUOTE=gts]Bell 407, pilots name is Donald "chipp" Reynolds, WM 39 years old originally from Montebello California, size 10 1/2 shoe prefers his coffee with a splash of half and half but mocha mix will do in a pinch, serverd two tours of duty in the coulmbian drug wars as a cia staff pilot. wife's name is Ilene, (38 26 32 blonde, green eyes, 5' 7'') former beauty queen from lexington ohio, finished runner up in the who's hootters R yooter looking at contest as a sophmore at ucmb.[/QUOTE]

Beat me to it.

I don't see the big deal. $250,000 to own a helicopter, that's not that bad at all. I'm sure he can afford to pay the driver. haha

he should give me 250k too

[QUOTE=Kobe4life]u guys do know if the helicopter is about to break kobe can just use a parachute ?[/QUOTE]


Parachutes don't work at helicopters elevation, also when helicopters crash, they fall down fast, u wouldn't even have time to put on a parachute and stuff.