Mamba Out

Kobe Bryant once said, ~The most important thing is to try and ignore the people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.~ Let me as you this question, how did you react when word spread via social media and eventually other outlets that the Los Angeles Lakers great and definite candidate for the NBA Hall of Fame Kobe Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash with his 2nd oldest daughter GiGi along with 7 other individuals on Sunday January 28, 2020? For it was truly shocking and not to mention devastating news indeed knowing that he tried and succeeded in making a significant impact in the city of Angels, as well as the game of basketball itself, especially for a generation of fans who practically grew up idolizing him.

Without a doubt, remembering the life of Kobe Bryant instead of focusing on such a sad tragedy is what keeps his and the other individuals' memories alive for years to come. As mentioned before, he tried and succeeded in making a significant impact when it came to meeting and interacting with his fans who they considered him to be a role model sports wise. Thinking about it further, he contributed the effort and time to the Make A Wish Foundation granting over 200 wishes one of them being to 8 year old Henry Moore, who was born without an immune system. Essentially, he needed a bone marrow transplant that took over 7 years to have happen and now a 20 year old Henry truly cherishes the time spent with the late Laker captain for simply granting him a wish so many years ago.

If you think about it, Kobe's NBA playing days ended in April of 2016 closing the door on a stellar career, but it inevitably opened up a new door in being a coach in more ways than one. You see, he became a literal coach for his late daughter GiGi Bryant's Mamba Academy basketball team and over time she proclaimed with utmost confidence that she would try and succeed in continuing the Bryant legacy of intensity/determination/drive playing in the WNBA whereby making dear old dad very proud. In any case, he also became a coach in a more metaphorical/figurative sense by teaching thousands of kids in wanting/trying to emulate his playing mentality and shooting style that will certainly continue on for years to come since he debuted in the NBA on November 3, 1996 at 18 years of age.

For the question can be asked as it pertains to Kobe Bryant as a father, do you think he has tried and for the most part succeeded in being there for his 4 daughters in every way possible? I think we can all unanimously agree that once the Black Mamba retired from the game of basketball he took his role as a parent took a much higher level, so to speak, by being in their lives more to the point where videos have been posted showing how much of a loving, caring, doting dad he was. Hey, you can't help but smile and get considerably emotional at the fact that there was clearly a strong bond between himself and Gigi with basketball deeply connecting the 2 of them together. A deep connection that is overwhelmingly evident shown on video of father sitting with daughter discussing the finer points of the game.

On Friday February 7th, 2020, Kobe along with his 13 year old daughter were buried in a private ceremony near the family's California home. Ultimately, he will always and forever be known as a guy who had the reputation for having the ability to strike fast in a seemingly deadly way by taking it to the hoop himself rather than pass it to a teammate earning him the nickname Black Mamba. You see, its a nickname that personified his alter-ego on the court whereby blocking out any sort of off the court struggles, which he was able to get past. In the end, Kobe's final two words after his finale game at home in the Los Angeles Staple Center may end up possibly being a drop the mic moment for anyone on a basketball court trying a spectacular shot and making it...Mamba Out.