Farewell to a Legend

     Times like these always remind me despite the inevitability of the end to all things, we’re still never truly prepared for it. We’re never truly prepared to say goodbye to the college days, step on that field or court for the last high school basketball or football game, or say our last good-byes to a loved one in their final days. We know all of these moments and more are going to get here one day, yet we still are unable to be fully prepared for them. That’s exactly how I’m feeling right now as I think about one of the greatest to ever step on the hardwood, Kobe “Bean” Bryant, announcing he is retiring at the end of this season.

            The announcement came as no shock as Bryant is certainly a mere shell of himself from his prime. However, that hasn’t stopped me from watching a popular vine of some of his spectacular highlights over and over again. Or looking at replays of some of the magic he and Shaq created as a dynamic duo in Los Angeles. Or looking at him compete in the dunk contest as a bald-headed teenager. That nappy afro would do wonders for him later in the pros. LOL. Despite his phenomenal career and being the closest player to the legendary M.J. we have ever seen, it hasn’t been without its share of controversy.

            He was immediately perceived as arrogant and ungrateful when originally drafted by the Charlotte Hornets (New Orleans Pelicans), claiming it was an “impossibility” to play for them. It was because of this perception that many took pride in his early pro career struggles that included four straight air balls in a playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz. While he made the NBA All-Rookie team and won the 1997 dunk contest, many fans chose to remember the final minutes of the season. After Los Angeles’ three-peat from 2000-2002, many accused Kobe of single-handedly running Shaq, the number one option at the time, out of town in order to cement his status as the team’s Alpha male. He was also falsely accused of sexual assault in 2003 and even talked about leaving for either Chicago or Washington due to disagreements with the front office.

            Yet in the midst of all this, he overcame all the drama and had enough success to make those same people who held up signs saying, “Hey Shaq, I don’t like Kobe either,” sing a completely different tune. He proved that he could be the number one option in LA, leading them to three consecutive trips to the finals resulting in two victories against Orlando and longtime rival Boston to give him five rings and the Laker franchise a total of 16 championship banners in Staples Center. He defeated all of his rivals to include Allen Iverson, T-Mac, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, and several others. Mind you, many people, but not me, once deemed A.I. and T-Mac as better than Kobe. It was worth debating, but I never thought they were at any point, and in the end Kobe outplayed both of them.

            Here’s a snapshot of his 20 year career: 5x NBA champion (2000-2002, 2009-2010), 2x Finals MVP (2009-2010), NBA Regular Season MVP (2008), 17x NBA All Star (1998, 2000-2015), 4x All Star game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), 11x NBA All First Team (2002-2004, 2006-2013), 2x NBA All Second Team (2000-2001), 2x NBA All Third Team (1999, 2005), 9x NBA All Defensive First Team (2000, 2003-2004, 2006-2011), 3x NBA All Defensive Second Team (2001-2002, 2012), 2x NBA Scoring Champion (2006-2007), NBA Slam Dunk Champion (1997), NBA All Rookie Second Team (1997), Lakers All Time Leading Scorer (A franchise that includes the greatest point guard of all time Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Wilt Chamberlain, James Worthy, and Jerry West among many other notable names), and third on the all-time scoring list behind only Kareem and Karl “The Mailman” Malone. 2nd most points in a game at 81 behind only Laker legend Wilt Chamberlain at 100. Damn good company right there.

            And to think when he first came out of high school, there were people who didn’t think he belonged. People who thought the Lakers made a mistake. People who thought his selfish antics would ruin him and whatever franchise he played for. Those same people weep for his departure. Not to mention he remained in Laker purple and gold is entire career. Only a small amount of legendary professional athletes can say that. They include Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller, and Magic Johnson. Other legends such as Kareem, Wilt, even M.J. can’t say that. Brett Favre, Emmett Smith, and Peyton Manning can’t say that.

            Kobe wore a Laker uniform through thick and thin, with and without Phil Jackson. He consistently gave us an excellent show on the court. He inspired a competitive spirit within anyone who watched him, athlete or not. He showed us what it meant to strive for perfection almost to the point of unhealthy obsession. He showed us what it meant to have heart. He has done this and more now for twenty years come the end of this season. With that in mind, I must say it has truly been an honor to watch him go from teenage Phenom to NBA All Star to full time starter and number two option to future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to Alpha male to the greatest Laker of all time and the closest we’ve ever had to Michael Jordan. It is for providing such performances and inspiration, I must say thank you and congratulate Kobe on a once in a lifetime career. May you prosper to the fullest in all your post basketball endeavors. While we may not ever see you lace up the sneakers and step on the hardwood again after this season, rest assure we will never forget everything you have done for the game of basketball.