Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

It’s been a rough two days. I’ve been going through a strange numb deep sadness and an unyielding determination.

I haven’t reflected this deeply on my attitude in a long time and what kind of life I want to live going forward. The thing with Kobe, he enjoyed the journey, not just the destination. It was never about the awards and accolades. It was about the process and never cheating himself or the game. It was a way of being, a way to stand for things worth standing for and a way to live a life worth living.

What a legacy this man leaves and it’s made me look at myself and whether I give everything I have each day, and if I don’t, whether I’m happy with that. Because in a blink of an eye it might all be gone...

 

These were taken from a couple of blocks away from work last night:

 

A friend of mine pointed something out that is just stunning and impossibly sad. With the exception of Wilt, basically all of the all-time basketball greats outlived Kobe. Russell, Cousy, West, Baylor, Dr. J, Kareem, Bird, Jordan, Magic, Hakeem, Walton, Oscar. . . all still alive.

 

Anyone who's known me from CL is no stranger to how I felt about Kobe for a long time. My favorite player on any level collegiate or professional regardless of the sport will always be Shaq. I've learned to appreciate Kobe before he retired, because there was no maybe another day in his approach. When you can injure yourself as badly as he did and still go to the line and hit free throws is really practicing what you preach. Out of high school he wasn't built physically like many out of college but for 20 years he never settled did he. All star games guys said they were careful around him because he would try and learn their moves. The mortality factor sucks so bad, 41. I often discuss age with my brothers how in pro athletes are seen as old when late 30s and 40s are young but seen as old for them. I have two nephews in their late teens and if I lost either one or more than one at once I'd need depression medication. Life isn't fair, and there's no layout that dictates all our lives and why does it still feel like a really weird dream and I'll wake up and realize it was just that. It'll never feel real, and I'm agnostic but I'm hoping that he and his daughter are toget her right now and his family is healing even if just a little at a time it can't be easy.

 

wow i feel like you took what was inside my brain and wrote it so much better than i could have.

thank you.

ps- ive been thinking a lot about which kobe moment is my favorite. there really is no right answer. but for some reason ive been thinking about this game a lot

 

Given all that's transpired, I'll be taking an indefinite leaving of absence from all Lakers related business. Effective immediately.

I'm sorry I can't bring myself to say much more right now.

Stay strong everyone.

 

I, like a lot of people have been reading and watching all the tributes and memories of the people close to him, Laker nation and everyone whose lives were touched by Kobe. A lot of people were suggesting making Kobe the new NBA logo, renaming some award after him or retiring his jersey number league wide. Those are all great ideas, and I know Kobe would like that, but knowing how he played the game, how he lived his life and how hard he worked at everything , I'm thinking, out of respect not just for the man, but for all the greats of the past as well, that we're taking the bus to away games, or flying coach, or playing 4 games in 5 nights while being paid a fraction of what a role player gets nowadays, or not having the benefit of all these new technologies that take care of their bodies, that can we please for the love of all that's holy, get rid of load management. How can you say that you idolized Kobe and that you patterned your game after him, knowing that he played through all kinds of sickness, broken bones and torn muscles, that he even made two free throws on a torn Achilles, gave the game everything he had until the end, yet you can't even play back to back games? Respect the man by respecting the game he loved so much and devoted most of his life to.
I watched Isiah Thomas earlier talk about how when he was the Knicks president and he only had the MLE available at the time, he got a call from Rob Pelinka and that Kobe wanted to discuss the MLE with him. Isiah was of course taken aback and said that he did not want to disrespect Kobe by offering him the MLE, but Rob said that Kobe wanted to pay him the respect by giving him the opportunity to make him an offer even if there was no realistic chance of it being accepted. The level of respect and reverence that Kobe showed to the greats that came before him just make him a true icon, and I will really miss him. I'm 46 now and have gone through so much loss in my life. I should not be affected by the passing of someone that I never even met, yet here I am crying thinking about this tragedy, how heart breaking thinking of the last moments he had with Gianna, how hard it must be for his family to just live minute to minute with the loss and grief. They will be hearing nothing but kind words and support, and none of it matters because it will never bring back the loved ones they have lost.We will miss you terribly Kobe, more than anyone of us realize right now. There will never be another quite like you. You and Giana will live in our hearts and minds, forever young.

 

yeah those two shots against portland probably rank #1 for me. the GW against phx in 06 would be right behind it

 

Love my CL family. But I think I am getting worse. Not better. I can’t watch any more coverage or tributes. I can only come here and see your pains and share in them. I don’t even care about the SB anymore - and I have been a diehard 9er fan since 1980. This is just so hard. And I never met the man - seen him play numerous times and dreamed of our daughters paying each other in college.

 

Well said @KB24 and @Weezy

Btw, if anyone ever tells you that shaq carried kobe, they arent lying

Hope this pic can bring a smile to our faces in this tough time

 

Sorry If repost