First time, long time...Finally a topic I can weigh in on. For Kobe it isn't necessarily the moments I watched him but its the moments I couldn't watch him that impacted me the most. As a kid growing up on the East coast for the early Kobe years I was not able to stay up and watch Lakers games. Instead I'd be laying in my bed with my ear against wall listening as my father and older brother watched the game. When they turned the TV off I'd sneak out of my room and always ask the same two questions "did the Lakers win?" and "How many points did Kobe have?" and the following morning the first thing I'd do is rush to the kitchen grab the sports section of the newspaper and go straight to the Lakers box score. I'd walk around with pride and tell everyone about Kobe's game the night before.
But as I grew up and my life was consumed by playing basketball Kobe became even more important. His dominance, his competitiveness, and his work ethic were things I always strived to be. On weekend tournaments and camps teammates and competitors would bond over Kobe Bryant. The way he loved the game made us love the game even more.
Sappy?!?! Yes, but outside of Family and Coaches Kobe was one of the most influential people in the lives of my friends and I. I've now cried 3 times because of him 1) Scoring 61 in his final game 2) The jersey retirement of 8 and 24 (which symbolized two very different versions of him) 3) Yesterday afternoon.
Having never met him I can only imagine how his family and friends feel. But this one hurt and I think the video that Dwyane Wade put it best "this seems like a bad dream, that you want to wake up from"
Will be listening to "Kobe Bryant" by Lil Wayne for the remainder of the week
Can't imagine how you're feeling. As you could tell from my thoughts, the last couple days have been super hard. And I was never a Kobe fan, as you were.
Think this can remind us in the end how much we love basketball. Was jacked up to come home tonight just to watch the re-run of his final game and—for God's sake—the Bulls. Won't take the game for granted again.
Couldn't have said it any better than you did. I have never even thought of Kobe Bryant not being in this world anymore and had no idea it would have an effect on me. This is far and away the most shocking sports death of my lifetime. The two videos that hit me the most were the one of the young man being interviewed outside the staples center and the video of him and his daughter court side. Just a really sad day, RIP
Had to do a separate post on the Bulls. Couldn't stain Kobe by mentioning them in the same note. Carter out two months with a sprained ankle?!? I remember Isiah Thomas playing the NBA finals, multiple games, on sprained a sprained ankle. Markenan out 4-6 weeks with a Stress REACTION?!? Could you be anymore obvious? How can you tank for 4 straight years and not get any better. Now we fall to one of the worst records in the league, get in the lottery, get the 7th pick and suck again next year.
Lastly, as you said, we got rid of Thibs because he wore his players down?!? We never had this many injuries.
Similarly, I had no idea Kobe passing away would have the effect on me that it did. Refused to believe the reports, even after Woj tweeted it out. Just couldn't be true. I was glued to the TV and to social media to consume all the tributes and comments from other sports legends. I had watched all the videos you posted and still got chills down my spine re-watching them this morning. The biggest gut punch was seeing the pictures with his daughters. Can't imagine the feeling of loss that those that actually knew him are feeling.
I think things have changed with Social Media. I think, particularly the younger generation feels closer to these guys because you see so much more of them and you see more intimate times in their lives like them being somewhere with their children. It was different for us. You saw your idols in games and, maybe, an interview afterwards but never 10 times a day on Social Media.
I feel horrible for his wife and his other daughters. She seemed like she tried to stay out of the limelight and keep her kids out of it too.
First time, long time...Finally a topic I can weigh in on. For Kobe it isn't necessarily the moments I watched him but its the moments I couldn't watch him that impacted me the most. As a kid growing up on the East coast for the early Kobe years I was not able to stay up and watch Lakers games. Instead I'd be laying in my bed with my ear against wall listening as my father and older brother watched the game. When they turned the TV off I'd sneak out of my room and always ask the same two questions "did the Lakers win?" and "How many points did Kobe have?" and the following morning the first thing I'd do is rush to the kitchen grab the sports section of the newspaper and go straight to the Lakers box score. I'd walk around with pride and tell everyone about Kobe's game the night before.
But as I grew up and my life was consumed by playing basketball Kobe became even more important. His dominance, his competitiveness, and his work ethic were things I always strived to be. On weekend tournaments and camps teammates and competitors would bond over Kobe Bryant. The way he loved the game made us love the game even more.
Sappy?!?! Yes, but outside of Family and Coaches Kobe was one of the most influential people in the lives of my friends and I. I've now cried 3 times because of him 1) Scoring 61 in his final game 2) The jersey retirement of 8 and 24 (which symbolized two very different versions of him) 3) Yesterday afternoon.
Having never met him I can only imagine how his family and friends feel. But this one hurt and I think the video that Dwyane Wade put it best "this seems like a bad dream, that you want to wake up from"
Will be listening to "Kobe Bryant" by Lil Wayne for the remainder of the week
TKnight! Appreciate your support, brother.
Can't imagine how you're feeling. As you could tell from my thoughts, the last couple days have been super hard. And I was never a Kobe fan, as you were.
Think this can remind us in the end how much we love basketball. Was jacked up to come home tonight just to watch the re-run of his final game and—for God's sake—the Bulls. Won't take the game for granted again.
Couldn't have said it any better than you did. I have never even thought of Kobe Bryant not being in this world anymore and had no idea it would have an effect on me. This is far and away the most shocking sports death of my lifetime. The two videos that hit me the most were the one of the young man being interviewed outside the staples center and the video of him and his daughter court side. Just a really sad day, RIP
Thanks brother. It was weird getting emotional on the newsletter, but I'm glad I did.
Had to do a separate post on the Bulls. Couldn't stain Kobe by mentioning them in the same note. Carter out two months with a sprained ankle?!? I remember Isiah Thomas playing the NBA finals, multiple games, on sprained a sprained ankle. Markenan out 4-6 weeks with a Stress REACTION?!? Could you be anymore obvious? How can you tank for 4 straight years and not get any better. Now we fall to one of the worst records in the league, get in the lottery, get the 7th pick and suck again next year.
Lastly, as you said, we got rid of Thibs because he wore his players down?!? We never had this many injuries.
Eventually they'll run out of people to blame other than themselves. It's evident to us. We'll see if it ever becomes evident to the Reinsdorfs.
Similarly, I had no idea Kobe passing away would have the effect on me that it did. Refused to believe the reports, even after Woj tweeted it out. Just couldn't be true. I was glued to the TV and to social media to consume all the tributes and comments from other sports legends. I had watched all the videos you posted and still got chills down my spine re-watching them this morning. The biggest gut punch was seeing the pictures with his daughters. Can't imagine the feeling of loss that those that actually knew him are feeling.
Can't stop thinking about his family, man. Just can't fathom the horror.
I think things have changed with Social Media. I think, particularly the younger generation feels closer to these guys because you see so much more of them and you see more intimate times in their lives like them being somewhere with their children. It was different for us. You saw your idols in games and, maybe, an interview afterwards but never 10 times a day on Social Media.
I feel horrible for his wife and his other daughters. She seemed like she tried to stay out of the limelight and keep her kids out of it too.
This is a great point.