Remembering Kobe Bryant

By: Melo Williams 

Three years ago today, January 26 2020 one of the saddening days in sports history, we lost the GOAT of NBA basketball Kobe Bryant.

Just for clarity, I’ve been saying Kobe Bean is the greatest basketball player of all time for 5 years today, two years before his untimely shockingly tragic death.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi Bryant, and seven others passed away in a tragic helicopter accident in Calabasas, California.

When the news broke to the world that Kobe Bryant had died via TMZ, everyone most likely remembers where they were when they found out, who told them, and how it felt when the heartbreaking news was shared.

I remember the news like it was yesterday. I was in Houston, Texas walking in a gas station when my phone started blowing up. I checked my phone and it was my family group chat I was shocked by what I read, “Kobe Bryant Dead.”

I checked my Twitter for verification and Kobe Bryant Dead was the number one trending topic but I still had my huge fair share of doubt, there just was no way Kobe Bryant was dead.

Before long reality set in, and I was deeply saddened my boy The GOAT, Kobe Bean Bryant was no longer with us. The city of Houston Texas displayed its love and respect for Kobe weeks on in and that put it in more perspective just how truly loved and respected Kobe Bryant was because it felt like I was in Los Angeles, California from seeing so many Houstonians’ wearing Kobe jerseys, t-shirts, and his signature Kobe Bryant shoes.

Everyone remembers the night Kobe Bryant dropped 81 points on Toronto on January 21, 2006, at the then Staples Center.

ESPN analyst Jalen Rose has spoken about that night on many occasions including an ad he filmed with Kobe Bryant joking about the 81 points scored on Jalen.

Kobe asked for a vodka martini with 81 olives and gave Rose that stare we saw in the Finals against Orlando when Matt Barnes faked like he was going to pass the ball of Kobes’s face when he didn’t flinch.

To Jalen’s credit, only 18 of the 81 were scored on him.

Kobe outscored Toronto 55-41 in 2nd half and the Lakers won by 18.

Kobe’s points scored by quarter go as follows: 14 points in the 1st quarter, 12 in the second, 27 in the third, and 28 points in the 4th quarter.

March 13, 2013, the Lakers faced off against the Atlanta Hawks at the Philips Arena.

The Lakers were down by 18 at the start of the 2nd half. Kobe had 3 points at halftime. He didn’t score his first points until late in the 2nd quarter. The third quarter started and Kobe Bryant owned it. He gave Atlanta Hawks fans exactly what they paid to see, The Mamba! In return, Philips Arena was screaming MVP in a frenzy, you would’ve sworn it was a home game for the Lakers in L.A.

Kobe finished with 31 points (11-33 FG) 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Kobe made being a #GirlDad cool. You would often see Kobe and GiGi at Lakers games sitting courtside, the images with his daughters after winning NBA Championships.

Kobe was also on the frontline with the fight to advance women’s sports and equality in salary, endorsements, and equal opportunities in all walks of life and not just basketball.

Kobe Bryant was a big brother and mentor to many. He gave his time and money, and most of all he gave his loyalty.

Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, the 2nd-most seasons spent with a single team.

The Black Mamba is a Hall of Famer and a five-time NBA Champion. The Lakers’ all-time leader in games played, points scored, made 3-pointers, and steals.

The world is mourning today. Why did Kobe Bryant have to be taken from us so soon? He was just beginning to live life enjoying the fruits of his labor while training and developing GiGi basketball skills. Mamba Academy will go on but I wish Kobe Bean Bryant was around to see his full vision become a reality.

“At the end of every day, you look yourself in the mirror and you ask yourself “Did I get better today?” “Did you get better today at whatever it is and it’s just taking small steps” “You don’t try to get it all done in one day, in one week, in one year” “It’s the process of getting better every day and doing that for a period of years, that then create the masterpiece.”

“Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.” – Kobe Bryant

Rest In Peace Kobe & Gigi Bryant, John, Keri, & Alyssa Altobelli Sarah and Payton Chester Christina Mauser Ara Zobayan

Follow Melo on Twitter and Instagram at @_MeloWilliams