I don’t watch basketball, but when the first news report went out about Kobe Bryant’s death, I felt the lull of silence throughout Philadelphia.
I heard someone say that they read the headline and thought it was a joke. This was an unexpected tragedy for all. Especially those in the NBA and to fans all over the world. For people who grew up watching Kobe, they know that he was a legend. He is someone who is as great as Michael Jordan, but someone who is just as relatable as your neighbor.
Kobe earned titles like “champion” and “gold-medalist” because of the work he put in. Whether it was waking up early mornings and already being drenched in sweat before 5 a.m. or even helping his daughter, Gianna, become the player she was, Kobe was known for being diligent. His support for his daughter Gianna was shown by how he would attend her basketball games. It was mentioned in an interview with Kobe that even though he doesn’t have a son, he knew that she would be able to carry on the legacy. He is the definition of hard-working. Even after he retired, he still wanted to be apart of the NBA, and he did that with is own content on ESPN+, a show called “Detail,” and he even had a children’s podcast. I would even go to say that he was an entrepreneur of his own life; he knew what he wanted to do — and he found a way to do it.
Even though I don’t watch basketball, I feel devastated by the loss of Kobe Bryant. I’ve never seen a Kobe game, but after reading and listening to reports, I have gained a new respect for the culture of basketball. What Kobe brings to the NBA is an inspiration. In recent interviews discussing Kobe, they relate him to being a superhero, the Messiah, or even God. Fantasy or reality, Kobe wanted and achieved the respect of being a legend. Kobe is a champion, a father, a son, a brother, a coach and, most of all, one of the greatest.
Kobe will forever be “is” and not “was.”