An ode to Kobe Bryant and the impact that he has left on the world
Dear Basketball,
Please take care of Kobe and Giana Bryant.
From the moment that he put a foot on the floor and air-balled four shots in the playoffs against the Utah Jazz to the final moment that he put a show dropping 60 points ironically in the Jazz, we fell in love with you.
For some people, he was a role model, for others an idol but for all the world he was a legend.
A legend so big that across the world transmits his mentality, the Mamba mentality. A mentality that he demonstrates that when you have a goal you must make sacrifices, get obsessed with it and that you are never working the hardest that you have to give all to make your goal.
The Mamba mentality was not only for basketball but for all people, that will transcend in history.
You gave people hope that through your mentality could do anything that they put their mind up to. You make people realize what is the true meaning of hard work.
We were not ready to let you and your daughter Gianna go but we have too.
You and your daughter were taken away, but your memories will always be in our minds. Of you working with her in the gym to even mimicking your famous fade away, the ‘what ifs’ will always remain logged in our minds.
From shooting a piece of paper into a trash can wail screaming “KOBE”, to your example as a role model that has all the talent in the world but always work harder than anyone else.
And we know, no matter what we do next we always will be thinking of that kid with rolled-up socks garbage can in the corner, 5 seconds on the clock ball in your hands. 5…4…3…2…1
Love you always,
The basketball community.