When it comes to Kobe Bryant, this is a quote that best defines him. He is humbly arrogant, if there is such a thing.
For those who are cut off from the rest of the world, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement in a letter to The Player's Tribune a couple weeks ago and sports fans everywhere erupted. Personally, I knew the time would come, but I didn't know exactly how soon. It reminded me of when Derek Jeter announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. I grew up with Kobe Bryant. Literally. He was drafted straight out of high school in 1996, the year I was born. He is the last active player from that draft, amongst fellow future hall-of-famers like Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, and Ray Allen. In those 19 years, he has managed to change the game of professional basketball.
When it comes to memorable Kobe plays, there are dozens to choose from. There's the game when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. I was only 10 at that time, but I remember hearing about it on the radio and watching the highlights. The game was revisited this semester when ex-NBA player Jalen Rose came to speak to Temple students and promote his new book entitled, "Got to Give the People What They Want: True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court". During the Q&A, a student in the crowd asked about Kobe's 81-point game since Rose was the one guarding him. All he had to say was something like, "Kobe was having an incredible game and he knew it. But not once did he flaunt it." What Rose had to say about Kobe Bryant seemed to be spot on. Bryant effortlessly puts on a show without being cocky about it. Instead, he replicated Wilt Chamberlain's famous "100" picture afterwards.
In his final season, Kobe is continuing to give his fans what they want. He experienced his homecoming in Philadelphia earlier this month, complete with a tribute and a framed jersey from his Lower Merion High School coach. Since then, he has asked that NBA teams refrain from holding special ceremonies for him before games. He has also tried to encourage Los Angeles Lakers coach Byron Scott to give the rookies a chance to play more. The team must prepare to not have their superstar and that is a good start.
Kobe's legacy is undisputed- 5 Championship rings, 17-time All-Star, NBA Most Valuable Player, and Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer. He has changed the face of the NBA and paved the way for an upcoming generation of players. Like Derek Jeter, he is one of the few players to play for the same team his entire career. I am honored that I grew up with number 24 (or number 8, depending on how you remember him best) and he will always be my favorite Laker.
