Kobe Bryant: A Living Legend
- criselalcabasa
- Nov 30, 2015
- 9 min read
Do you love basketball?
Do you watch NBA?
Are you a LA Lakers fan?
Do you know Kobe Bryant?
Do you idolized him?
If all of your answers are "YES" then keep on scrolling because this post will be all about Kobe Bryant's. If no, still keep on scrolling maybe I can change your mind in a minute and so.
Kobe Bryant. A name in basketball industry. A loyal teammate of Los Angeles Lakers. A father of two pretty girls and husband of the famous, Vanessa Laine.
Maybe you would wondering why I am blogging about him? Is it because he is on trend now due to the official announcement of his retirement? Of course no! Is it beacause I am one of the bandwagon fans out there? Hell no, never! Then why?
It's just I feel both sad and happy about this, his breakthrough in basketball industry, his coming retirement, since the day I've met him, 2002, now this is the last season I can watch him playing on NBA for Lakers.
Yes, 2002. I was then in 4th grade.
Surrounded by a dad who's in love with basketball, together with two brothers who were basketball players back then, I was hooked into the said game as well. I watched PBA that time, loving the Ginebra team.
By that time, I'm starting to have this "infatuation" thingy. I told myself, I will like a boy who is good in basketball. That someday, I will be one of those people cheering for them in Araneta. I transferred school, met "him" and had crush on him for 3 years (entire years I stayed on that school). But why we are talking about him? Cos that "him" is the reason why until now I idolized Kobe Bryant. He is the reason why I learned more on basketball. And the reason I love LA Lakers up until now. He really loves Kobe. Of course I learned to like what he likes. At first Im just creating similiraties between us, but day goes by, stalking and watching Kobe Bryant, gave me a deeper impression of him. Being a player, friend and idol. Oh of course as a father of a nice family!
Since 2002, every Lakers' game, I have been an avid fan of them. Now, I am watching them not because of just someone likes them, but because I like the team already. Sometimes, I even ended up on betting every finals just to prove myself that they are the best and of course they don't fail my expectations. They are the best. Kobe, he's the best.
Kobe Bryant as 2002 All-Star MVP Trophy
Every year, I assure that every season I must watch his games. I even told my uncles, brothers, watch Lakers to see your fave team's fall. Until my brother, surrendered and accept the fact that I have a great team. He started to like Kobe Bryant and LA Lakers as well. Cos that season (2010), he's into Boston Celtics, wherein they have good players back then. Well I don't care, I still have Fisher, O'Neal, Gasol, Odom, Bynum and of course Bryant. (They are just my fave Lakers' rosters from 2002 - 2012; of course I still have fave roster of Lakers' players from 2012-2015)
KOBE ZOOM II ~ my favorite KOBE shoes
This is just an example how I indulged other people to believe and to watch Lakers in NBA games. Take note, even my nephews, who were into basketball now, idolizes Lakers and Kobe Bryant. They even bought Kobe's designed Nike Basketball Shoes. I also try to buy one since 2009, but sadly the smallest Kobe is EU 40. Unlike Jordan, they have the size for girls. I hope when they do limited edition for Kobe, they will produce for smaller sizes (preferably for women's size).
Bryant and O'Neal
Gasol, Bryant and Fisher
But what makes Kobe Bryant stood out from everybody? He just looks like an ordinary NBA player. Yea, he looks like, but he's not. He's really not! Before he retired, let me bring you to the life of this great man in basketball industry.
Here are some facts about our favorite yellow and purple team player:
1. His name is from a Japanese Steakhouse.
Kobe's name is from a Japanese steakhouse wherein they serve a Japanese beef called Kobe. The parents like so much the food that's why they decided to name their son after the dish as well as the restaurant.
Note: In future, if I am given the chance to have a baby boy, it will follow his name: 'Kobe'. I actually planned it since 2002. :p
2. Kobe Bryant fluency in Italian languange
He grew up in Italy since his father decided to migrate after his retirement. Going to school and playing with the teammates, Kobe easily adapted the Italian languange for him to play easily with the other kids.
3. Brilliant Student
He started playing basketball at 6 years old but studies became not a major problem for him. He was a brilliant student. He has good grades in class and got a high score in SATs. If he's not a basketball player maybe he's into medicine line or even a lawyer. Still a successful man. Do you think so?
4. First Guard drafted from Highshool
Have you heard of "one and done" rule? This is where a player must play for a college basketball first before he is eligible for a draft pick. Hence, before that rule, teams can and were selecting players from highschool. Kobe is one of the notable players that was picked on his highschool and take note he was drafted as 'guard'. He was the first guard ever drafted in highschool where he went to Hornets team, in 1996.
5. Bryant as a rapper and met his wife
In 1998, Bryant was starting on his NBA big start career when he wanted also to join the music industry as a rapper. He signed under Sony Enterntainment label and recorded a song. While he is doing his rap career, he met his wife, Vanessa Laine, who was a background dancer for music videos of the same company. They were married few years later and brought two pretty darlings named, Gianna and Natalia. Like other families, of course there will be always ups and downs, but the downside didn't succeed, they still growing as a family, complete and happy.
6. Jersey Number
Kobe started playing basketball, he's wearing the jersey number 24 already. It was during highschool. When he did play the highschool basketball league, he wore the number 33 where it was his dad's jersey number during highschool also. When Hornets drafted him, he changed to Jersey 8 until he was traded to Lakers. Bryant arrived at No. 8 for two reasons: It was the number he wore when he was a kid playing in Italy. It also tied into the number he wore at Adidas' ABCD Camp, 143. After that, on 2006, he changed to 24. Changing the number according to him on an interview, 24 said to be "working 24 hours a day". This jersey numbers has a lot memories in NBA history, that's why even 24 is said to be his retirement number, No. 8 would also be his retirement number for Lakers.
Note: My favorite number 04 or 4 is derived from his jersey numbers. First I liked 8, but it's too mainstream. Then he changed to 24. So, I divided the old jersey number 8 to half then I got 4. Since 24 got 4, I told myself this would be my number. Yes my number is behind Kobe's life in basketball. The history behind my favorite number is a bit lame but who cares. :)
7. Most Consecutive All-Star Selections
All-Star season is one of the most awaited season during NBA, where all players are the star of each teams, East VS West. Kobe always comes out on top 10 everytime you ask for an all-star. He became the youngest All-Star in the 1998 in the young age of 19. After that, yearly he has been selected for the team. However, when he had the injured back then, the team wants him but was declined due to the injury he has. Well, after that he came back and play again for the all-star season. West will be always the best team! You think so? High five!
8. Greatest Defender and Offender of his generation
A good basketball player needs a great offender and deffender. Kobe proves both. He has a smooth offensive game to enhance more of his scoring ability. You remember the 81 points against Toronto in 2006? Well that's Kobe! But he is more of great defender. They were selected to the All-Defensive teams 12 times. He is a great on and off ball defender. Using his size, speed and strength he can guard and defend small guards until small forwards without any doubts. That's for sure.
9. First player to reach 30,000 points and 6,000 assists.
His scoring ability is well known on his generation. He dropped a 81 point scored fame and four consecutive 50+ points in 2007. But the scoring ability is there already, he is also good in assisting. He passes the ball smooth and fast wherein his teammates are aware and know the signal. These made Lakers as one and went through the finals. As a team's guard, gaininig the highest scoring and assisting points mark the NBA history. That's Kobe!
10. Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan on NBA's All-Time scoring list
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant moved past Michael Jordan to claim the No. 3 spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list during L.A.'s 100-94 road victory over Minnesota. The 36-year-old Bryant passed Jordan in his 1,269th career game and holds a 25.5 points per game average for his career. Jordan accumulated his total in 1,072 games and retired (for the third and final time) with a 30.1 points per game career average.
RankPlayer (*active)Points
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387)
2. Karl Malone (36,928)
3. Kobe Bryant (*32,310)
4. Michael Jordan (32,292)
5. Wilt Chamberlain (31,419)
6. Shaquille O'Neal (28,596)
7. Moses Malone (27,409)
8. Elvin Hayes (27,313)
9. Dirk Nowitzki (*27,223)
10. Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946)
"It's a huge honor, it's been such a long journey, It's going by really fast, though. It feels great to be at this point. I try to learn so much from [Jordan] in particular. He's been such a huge part of my success and my career, giving me advice and offering mentorship and things like that. That relationship has meant everything to me." - Kobe Bryant
See? Isn't he's a real great basketball player? It's just some of the million facts about him. But now, his era comes to an end. As the purpose of this post, the real point of whatever things I am telling you, he's retiring at the end of this season (2015 - 2016).
The moment Kobe posted a message of retirement on his twitter, his message on Player's Tribune. Right away, I searched thru the internet and of course read his post. Yes he's retiring. My ultimate idol is retiring. There are rumors back 2014 that he will be having his last season this year, I didn't believe since he's too active and still energetic when Im watching him last season and the current one, but but but, sadly it's true. It's okay. We don't have to be sad, I and the fellow fans, cos his retirement will be enclosed with purpose. You don't know what future is ahead of him, let's just be happy for the "black mamba"
Here is a copy of his message:
Dear Basketball,
From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots In the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you.
A love so deep I gave you my all — From my mind & body To my spirit & soul.
As a six-year-old boy Deeply in love with you I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself Running out of one.
And so I ran. I ran up and down every court After every loose ball for you. You asked for my hustle I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.
I played through the sweat and hurt Not because challenge called me But because YOU called me. I did everything for YOU Because that’s what you do
When someone makes you feel as Alive as you’ve made me feel.
You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding My mind can handle the grind But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.
And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.
I want you to know now So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other All that we have.
And we both know, no matter what I do next I’ll always be that kid With the rolled up socks Garbage can in the corner :05 seconds on the clock Ball in my hands. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1
Love you always, Kobe
KOBE BRYANT
It's just sad that now those journeys will be ended. Lakers' guard. Slam dunk champion. Buzzer beaters. Cool fade aways. Exciting jump shots. ~ Well it's okay, we as Lakers' fan as his fan, we'll start a new journey with him. Let's still support him unconditionally and be proud of his decision. Kobe will always be Kobe.
I know NBA will never be the same now he's retiring but there are rookies coming on their way, who knows they can be next Kobe Bryant. Basketball never stops!
PS: We will miss you Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant! Good Luck for the last season!
XO, crissylou ♡
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