Was never a big Kobe guy as a player but you had to respect him. The guy was larger than life. Still so young as well, and he's got a bunch of kids I think - ugh.
I’m not a huge basketball fan at all, but for some reason that’s really knocked the wind out. Feels like a giant has fallen, I can’t remember anybody as iconic dying so young in my lifetime. Diane maybe, but I was only a baby really. Heartbreaking, especially for his family. Still hoping against all logic that the reports are wrong.
Fuck, I don't watch the NBA that much anymore but Kobe really was such a large part of my childhood (just like Roy Halladay was). I'm genuinely sad about this.
Today is also the second birthday of my nephew, whom I love more than myself. Don't know why this is relevant to this, but I thought about bringing it up.
I’m drinking with Knicks fans in a bar at Madison square garden ahead of the NYC derby, a genuinely subdued mood which is unusual. ESPN’s news ticker is all Kobe Bryant and his stats. They are still showing the X Games but I expect a Kobe tribute reel any minute now.
I’m just going to leave this here. Kobe Bryant’s Love Letter to Basketball:
Dear Basketball,
From the moment
I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real:
I fell in love
Running out of one.
And so I ran.
I ran up and down every court
After every loose ball for you.
You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.
I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called me
But because YOU called me.
I did everything for YOU
Because that’s what you do
When someone makes you feel as
Alive as you’ve made me feel.
You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.
And that’s OK.
I’m ready to let you go.
I want you to know now
So we both can savor every moment we have left together.
The good and the bad.
We have given each other
All that we have.
And we both know, no matter what I do next
I’ll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1
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