Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is synonymous with flying through the air on the basketball court.   Amazingly, Kobe’s aeronautical accomplishments are not limited just to the hardwood. 

A brand new GQ article chronicles Kobe’s use of a helicopter as his means of dealing with LA’s legendary traffic.   The piece also discusses many other facets of Kobe’s career and family.  It is an entertaining read for the many Kobe fans around the world.

Kobe’s rationale for avoiding the LA freeway system is the health and well being of his body.  He chooses to live in Newport Coast, 49 miles southwest of Staples Center in Downtown LA.  Avoiding the two hour (rush hour) commute, allows Kobe to arrive at the arena fresh and full of energy.

Below is some additional information involving the logistics of Kobe’s commute between his home, the Lakers’ practice facility and Staples Center.  Information not found in the outstanding GQ article.

The vast majority of Lakers’ players live in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. These cities include Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.  The team’s El Segundo practice facility is a very short drive from all these locations.  Even the players who live in West LA or the San Fernando Valley have a fairly reasonable drive to the facility, located just south of LAX.

Kobe lives in the heart of Orange County, 44 miles from El Segundo and 49 miles from Downtown LA. He chooses the live in affluent Newport because of the calmer, more secluded feel it provides.   This location places Kobe far closer to the stadiums in Anaheim, than those in Los Angeles proper.

Kobe starts his airborne day at nearby John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. He flies at 140 MPH to LAX, located five minutes from the Lakers’ facility.  This trip lasts a brief 14 minutes.

Kobe’s Downtown LA destination is most likely the Robert F. Maguire Heliport, located at 200 Venice Blvd.  This trip lasts an astonishing four minutes. The state-of the-art heliport is less than a mile from Staples Center.  After the game, Kobe’s trip back to the OC lasts 14 minutes once again.

Whether on the basketball court or in the skies of LA, if a person wants to see Kobe Bryant, simply tilt your head towards the stars.   

Photograph Source: sportige.com