Basketball is not the same without Kobe Bryant.
As a kid growing up in the concrete jungle of Philadelphia, one begins to realize how important basketball is to a society rather quickly. Especially to a society that thrives off of entertainment, creativity and the sheer enjoyment of watching greatness develop. Bryant is, to a younger generation that could not fully digest the Jordan era, greatness incarnated.
It does not need to be said how many championships, trophies, honors or distinctions fill Bryant’s cabinet of accomplishments. The fans know. However, it does need to be said the cultural impact he has left on a newer generation.
The 34-year-old Philadelphian has been a staple in the basketball world since the days he donned the maroon and white sashes of the Lower Merion Aces in the late ’90s. Following his senior season, he entered the 1996 NBA Draft, becoming the first guard to ever do so and the sixth player ever to attempt the feat.
Philadelphia will always remember the moment when Allen Iverson was selected first overall and Bryant, the local prospect, was thrown to the side. Bryant was eventually selected No. 13 overall, and 15 All-Star appearances, 10 NBA First-Team Selections, nine NBA All-Defensive Team nods, and countless playoff runs only begin to describe the legacy of the Mamba.
But it is more than just the stats, the numbers, and the awards that truly make him incredible.
Over Bryant’s 17-year career, he has created an NBA masterpiece, almost like a pseudo-basketball version of a Leonardo Da Vinci portrait. Each Bryant game is a brush-by-brush painting of perfect body control, each dunk and dribble a stroke-by-stroke Eurostep.
When Bryant tore his left Achilles’ tendon on Friday night, the world watched his season end and his career, for the first time, threatened. Through reported pain and tears, he hobbled around on crutches in the locker rooms of the Staple Center, looking vulnerable.
Random tears of devastation and doubt mixed with inner determination and will #countonfamily #countonprayer THANKU #vicodintweets comin ha!
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 13, 2013
The thought of Bryant not being in a playoff series is the equivalent to eating a sandwich without condiments, lettuce or meat. Postseason without Kobe is just bare bread, devoid of the filling necessary to enjoy the meal.
Usually when a player at this age goes down with a devastating injury, the thought is that there is no return, that the player will be a shell of their former self. In this instance, that thought should immediately be thrown off the table.
Yes, it is true that given the aforementioned set of circumstances, a steep decline would normally be in the cards. They would be true for just about anyone else, anyone else besides one of the greatest scorers/competitors in the history of the NBA.
Bryant released a statement about his injury on his personal Facebook page on Friday:
This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. Ive always loved that quote. Thats “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.
I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.Mamba Out
From his first start in the ’90s, to bringing in the new year in February of 2000 by rapping and nabbing Tyra Banks, to setting an NBA record for three-pointers made in a game, to his historic run of four consecutive 50-point games, there will never be another player like Bryant.
There was that time in 2009 where he went into New York City and took over Madison Square Garden, dropping 61 points. And who will ever forget the 81 points he put on the Raptors in 2006? There was truly none like Bryant.
I think about the kids from my neighborhood in the Brewerytown section of North Philadelphia. I watch them jump to impossible heights, sticking their tongues out in disgusting and misconstrued variants, and hearing them yell “Kobe.” As gravity begins to pull them back to the ground, something hits me. It is at that moment, I realize that every time he pulls a post move, during every impossible shot, through the countless ridiculous comments contrasted with a hearty smile, I am watching one of the greatest simply go to work.
The Grammy-award winning band Fun made a song that perfectly depicts this disheartening moment in the Mamba’s career.
The song called “Carry On” reads:
But I like to think
I can cheat it all
To make up for the times I’ve been cheated on
And it’s nice to know
When I was left for dead
I was found and now I don’t roam these streets
I am not the ghost you want of me
If you’re lost and alone
Or you’re sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on
For the sake of the Lakers next season, for kids that see you as motivation to keep fighting, and even for the regular everyday man seeking entertainment after a hard day’s work, carry on Kobe Bryant. Carry on.
How good will Bryant still be after he comes back?
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