Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

When I was younger I use to get into arguments on Kobe vs Lebron, Messi vs Ronaldo and Federer vs Nadal. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate these greats, the titans of sport. And really all the muses alive from business to sports, from science to the arts.

I think I owe a lot of that to Kobe. And I‘m happy that as I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to appreciate all greatness. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch these people at their peaks. So I do appreciate Lebron and I no longer care where people rank anyone in anything. There is a togetherness and an inspiration these people provide that is just bigger than these senseless arguments and I’m just humbled to be inspired by them.

 

Buddy Hield , a huge Kobe fan , scored 42 on 24 shots , had 5 rebounds and 3 assists (8) and joined Kobe as the only one since 2002 to score 20 in the 4th without missing a field goal.

AMAZING

 

Just sick with grief the past few days. It's like someone said the real superman died. Can't even call my serious Laker fan buddies because we'll just lose it. I'm a life-long musician who has played over 1000 gigs in my life and I have not grieved harder for the loss of any musician that has passed, many very hardcore heroes of mine, than I have over Kobe.

 

AC Milan, my favorite football (I won't say soccer) team will wear black armbands when they play Torino today in memory of Kobe. It's Kobe's favorite football team too. Per sempre uno di noi~

 

I wrote the following Facebook post the day of Kobe's retirement back in 2016. Poured my heart out then, but it means even more now:

If you grow up in Kentucky, you're more than likely a basketball fan and if you know my family, you certainly know that's the case with us. Well, when my dad was growing up, this place was C Bags country and almost everyone rooted for Boston. That is, except for him. Amazed by the play of Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he became a loyal Lakers fan. Those guys inspired him on and off the court and because of that, he passed his Laker fandom on to my brother and I. I was too young to really know anything about the sport at the time, but at five years old I can remember us wearing Laker uniforms playing around the house as "Shaq Daddy and Kobe Bryant".

Well, as I grew older, I started to play and study the game myself like most kids here do. Before you knew it, I had latched on to Kobe like my father did with the Lakers of his generation. Just like he looked up to Magic, Worthy, and Kareem, I looked up to Kobe. Whether it be playing the sport or in everyday life, I've idolized Kobe as much as anyone possibly could. I used to mimic his moves when we'd play pickup on the goal at home. I took game-winners (and still do) with him on video games. I memorized every word of Lil Wayne's song about him and sang it nonstop. I tuned in to watch him every time the Lakers were on national TV, even if it meant going crazy in my grandparents' living room when we won game four in 2006. Or cussing up a storm when we got down early against Boston in game seven in 2010. Or being speechless when we came back to win the championship that same game and watching him celebrate on the scorer's table afterwards with "I Love L.A." blasting in the background.

In times when I'd get down, I'd pull up some of his highlights and be mesmerized by his mentality, toughness, and ability, completely forgetting about the current situation. When I'm stressed or aggravated, I always ask myself "What would Kobe do?" then continue to press on and succeed because that's exactly what he'd do. Kobe Bean Bryant has no earthly idea who I am, but he's impacted my life in a way that's hard to describe, even in a long-winded post such as this one.

So, #ThankYouKobe. Thank you for everything you've given to the Los Angeles Lakers these past twenty years. Thank you for all of the memories you have given your fans across the globe, just a few of which are shown here. Thank you for all of the game-winners, rage faces, dunks, championships, and every other spectacular thing you done on the basketball floor. Thank you for getting me through some of the toughest times of my life. Thank you for inspiring us all to believe in ourselves and become the best we can be. I know it's a cliche thing to say, but you truly are the Michael Jordan of our generation.

One of these days, if I'm lucky, I'll be able to have a child of my own. I don't know if they'll even like to play basketball, but I can guarantee they'll be a Lakers fan. Why? As the greatness of the Showtime Lakers enabled my dad to pass his fandom to me, the legend of Kobe Bryant will allow me to do the same for them. And if their favorite Laker happens to be as special as mine was, the family tradition is in great hands.

Here's to you, Mamba. I hope you enjoy your retirement as much as I have your career. You certainly deserve it. You may not lace up your sneakers anymore after tonight, but you'll never be forgotten, because heroes come and go, but legends live forever.

Once again, #ThankYouKobe. Thank you for everything.

RIP Kobe

 

In Philippines

 

It sucks that it took his death for some pundits to come around, but I do think it’s been genuine. I stayed home from work yesterday and had ESPN on all day. Maybe it was a bad idea because the emotions came in waves, but it was therapeutic to see all the nice words and tributes. I think some of the TV figures enjoyed treating Kobe as the villain during his career and it confused even them how distraught they were and how integral he was to their lives. It would have been nice if they realized this sooner, but from what I’ve seen, it seems as though the change in tune is genuine.

 

First time seeing this. Just when you think it might be easier for a minute. You see one of these. Then nope.

 

f***, made me cry again

 

Also, TNT special tonight before the 8 o clock game

 

If NBA doesn't do this, we protest!

 

If anyone hasn't shed enough tears today...
Kimmel's entire show was honoring Kobe

 

Nope. Can't do it. f***.

 

God better have an explanation for this...