2020 has turned out to be a very crazy year. Who would have known
in the first month of the year we would lose Kobe Bryant. For what it’s worth I
wasn’t a die-hard fan like most. I can’t tell you how many times in college I was
the center of the kick back or bbq debating Lebron was better than Kobe. Sometimes
getting so heated blows could have been thrown. Overtime as he reached retirement
I grew to appreciate him and his contributions to the game. In the moments it was first announced on
social media, I had instantly heard from two of my brothers. One joked about
how I and some of the other LeBron fans had planned it and took Kobe out. I was
like naw bro I rocked with him and appreciated his contributions to the game.
The next day as I got to work one of my colleagues stepped
into check on me. She mentioned her husband needed to take some time to process
it. I told her I had took my time away
from social media, the news, and just binged something on Netflix. The inaccurate
reporting made it an unbearable time for the families involved and even some not
involved. For example, reporting said Rick Fox was on
the helicopter with him. I saw the Interview where he explained those moments
and how his family and friends were impacted, they were calling him to check
in. He answered to calm there nerves but he started to call Kobe and didn’t get
a response and could only hope for the worst. But I’ll say this again still highly
disappointed in the reporting of the crash and how the Press leaked it before
the families could be contacted.This was a complete nightmare ofr many involved. I feel there should be some tye of consequences for entities like TMZ.
I can speak from what I know but we all know how high the divorce
rates are and how many Black homes don’t have a father or positive male figure in
them. For anybody in my generation Kobe was our G.O.AT. and I would argue even
a father figure. A lot of kids who I knew grew up idolized Kobe. There was a
reason why we would shoot paper balls into the garbage and yell out “KOOBBEE!!”.
We were alive to see him to see him when all 5 of his rings with the Lakers. He
was the closest thing some got to see to Jordan. When he set his mind to
something it happened from taking over the game to score or to lock down the
key player on the opposing team. I’ve gotten into the Knuckleheads podcast and
enjoyed the episode from Season 2 with Kobe. I think Quentin Richardson and
Darius Miles former players had a lot of praise for Kobe. Q had a lot of praise
for Kobe from being his team mate. His competitive edge and dedication to the
game will truly be missed. I highly encourage anyone who loves basketball to
check it out.
If you follow basketball we may remember the video of Devin
Booker from the Phoenix Suns where he was telling people don’t double team him
in pick ups games. Defiantly has posed spark between the newer generation of NBA
Basketball players and the OG’s of Basketball. Kobe wanted all the smoke. If
you check out the Knuckleheads podcast Kobe says send another person to defend
me. I remember in grammar school one of
our Basketball coaches would get mad if we tried to take it easy in practice.
She would always say “You Practice how you play”. Don’t come in practice and
give 50% you should always give 100% like you would in game and when
your family and friends watching. Those words still resonate with me today and
can be applied to many aspects of life. I’ve found myself preaching those same
words to mentees or even when I helped run a basketball camp one summer. Kobe was
a rare talent his mentality when approaching the game was different then what we
see on a nightly basis in today’s league. The World has truly lost a Husband, father,
Legend, Idol, mentor, Coach, and brother. We should all learn to appreciate
people before they leave this earth.
Forever Mamba……….
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