Thank You Kobe Bryant

By MH
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Updated: April 13, 2016

Today is the day. Today is last time we’ll be able to watch Kobe Bryant play. It’s no secret that Bryant is my favorite player. I grew up wanting to be like him so badly that some of his competitive fire is forever embedded in me.

In high school you’re not allowed to wear number eight so when Bryant switched to twenty-four I instantly made the switch. At the time I never enjoyed reading but I distinctly remember reading books about the Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant era.

I was fascinated by the story of Bryant. How he used to go to the Philadelphia 76ers practice gym and watch and study pro athletes while still in high school. He lifted weights and did things that no normal 16 or 17-year-old at the time would do.

It inspired me because I tried to take basketball as seriously as he did. I knew I would never be as good as him, but I was going to prepare each and everyday as if I was him. I didn’t have a storybook college career, spending a lot of time on the bench cheering on my teammates but the thing I remember the most from my senior year was mentoring my younger teammates.

We all watched Kobe throughout these last few years spend more time in suite than the jersey but he has constantly tried to help mentor his young teammates. Whether it was Shannon Brown, or D’Angelo Russell Bryant has become a leader of men but it certainly wasn’t always that way. He had to go through the ups and the downs to get to where he is today.

When I stepped off the court for the last time I felt like weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I spent so much time physically, mentally, and emotionally to prepare for each game and each season that when it was over I wasn’t necessarily sad. I love the game and I always but I have found other ways to channel that competitive fire, a fire that began to burn by watching some superhero on TV.

So in a sense I feel like I know how Bryant feels today. Obviously Bryant was a lot better than I was but so much of his life has been devoted to the game of basketball. It’s going to be relief for Bryant to sleep in during the summer or spend time with his family without worrying about focusing on rushing back to get a workout in. It’ll be weird at first for him but I’m sure he’ll enjoy his retirement.

I was too young to watch Magic Johnson, or Michael Jordan and I won’t say that Bryant is better than Jordan, but for me my favorite player will always Kobe Bryant.

I remember crying when the Lakers got swept by the San Antonio Spurs as the Forum was shut down. I remember my heart racing during game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals in what would be Bryant’s final title.

The lasting memory from this season will be after Bryant and Lakers beat the Washington Wizards early in the season. This what I had to say in a Facebook post.

“Kobe Bryant has always been my hero not because of the points and championships but because of his work ethic and relentless pursuit of being the best he could be. In a season that is in no means going his way he gave us fans clutch baskets and something to be excited about one more time. I was upstairs standing and yelling at my T.V. as if I was at the game. I was getting chills due to the nolgastic way the game was playing out. I had seen this movie so many times. Usually staying up way too late in highschool watching him time after time delivering in the clutch. The biggest take away for me last night was it that it gave me hope. That even when things aren’t going your way you have to keep pushing and trying. You never know what you might accomplish by just believing in yourself and continuing to try. Who knows you might even surprise yourself.”

Thank you Kobe Bryant for the memories.

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