same man. I keep telling myself during this lockdown I need to sit down and really think about it but just haven't been able to
I want to at some point (I think) watch Kobe's memorial service at Staples. But I have yet to bring myself to do it.
Sorry to sound like a Kobe Homer, but the way he's still being discredited even in the after life doesn't sit well with my spirit. I never seen a player with the achievements he had so nitpicked. It's made basketball hard to enjoy these days.
Kobe went on to become the 3rd highest scorer in NBA history playing 14 years. 6 of his 20 years were rookie year, 2nd year, and lockout year and then the final 3 years that were injury ridden. He also deferred for the first 8 years of his 20 year career. Kobe Bryant didn't have his first full season in the NBA as a starter until year 4. They happen to win it all that year. Now, you have to look at Kobe's career from 2000 to 2010. You can measure those 11 years with anyone, ever. Stats, impact, titles, etc etc. Those who discredit him do not do it because of basketball logic. They do it because they do not like him. Barry Bonds isn't in the Hall of Fame because he was the most hated athlete in sports, not because of Steroids. Steroids was the finisher.
Rewatching Game 7 of the 2010 finals brings back the memory of that time. I had just lost my best friend to cancer two months prior to the finals. Man, this win cheered me up so much.
I do think Bonds would be in the Hall if not for steroids. He was a Hall of Fame talent before the roids. I think him being a giant butt hole makes the writers relish in the fact they don't have to vote him in. We have to be completely honest here with Kobe. I would say half (if not more) of the hate he received had to do with the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back.
During Game 7, my wife accidentally locked one of our dogs outside the front door. She didn't go anywhere. She just waited there and our other dog pulled a full on Lassie during the third quarter by getting my attention and leading me over to the front door (something he never did). I opened it and there she was. I credit my dog with the Lakers victory as there was an obvious turning point once he got Pogo back in the house. Very different memory than yours, but it goes to show you how important sports are to our memories and how intertwined they become with things that have nothing to do with them. You remember who you were with and where you were when the big moments happen. If I look back at the most vivid memories I have from my life, I would say 90% involve sports in some form or fashion. The day to day crap at work, the video games, the TV shows you binge. You remember parts of them and remember some of them fondly. But those clear concise memories, they typically involve sports. One of my earliest crystal clear memories that I can revisit in my mind like it happened yesterday is my Dad running around our dining room table like a dog with a case of the zoomies after Magic hit the baby hook in the Finals.
I love this. And I feel you. I could ruminate on, relive, and discuss all the little details and big picture feelings of Game 7 all day for the rest of my life.
Yeah I brought up about a week ago Game 7 2010 was on and I got it recorded on my DirecTV box for the first time. Finally watched it all the way through for only the 2nd time, 10 years later, after the memorable way it happened for my family originally. Metta World Peace was HUGE in that game. Just like he promised naked ( ) Kobe in the shower after the bitter end of the last game of the series in 2008 when he went looking for him to plant the seed he wanted to play with him and help him get that ring. Lots of big plays throughout the game and the big shots.
I remember being at a watching party where there were unfortunately a lot of drunk C Bags fans. i ended up leaving at halftime to go my buddies much smaller but laker friendly pad. i still maintain that that change had some effect on the outcome of the game
One of my friends showed up to my buddy's apartment for Game 6, wearing GREEN SHOES. Everyone started shouting at him to leave the shoes outside, which he did. So, if you recall how we played in Game 6, you're all welcome.