A picture of Kobe Bryant is displayed this week in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles. VOX ATL’s James Rhee remembers Bryant as “more than just a player on the court.”
Ringo H.W. Chiu / Associated Press
By James Rhee
I’ve never seen Kobe Bryant in person or had a personal relationship with him, but he was an inspiration ever since I started watching basketball. Even though I am a fan of basketball and have love for the sport, Kobe wasn’t just a basketball player.
He was more than just a player on the court.
As my love for Kobe grew over the years, I started to follow his presence in the media. I watched his life play out every day, from becoming one of the greatest basketball players to ever step on the court, to becoming an amazing father and training his daughters in the sport that he loved unconditionally.
His impact on basketball was as tremendous as the work ethic he brought to the organization, which was impeccable. His work ethic ultimately became known as the “Mamba mentality,” with people all of the world knowing his nickname as the “Black Mamba.”
His influence and relentless work ethic weren’t just a huge impact on the culture of basketball. Even people who are not huge basketball fans have probably heard his name or been impacted by Kobe.
The author’s Kobe Bryant 11 “3D” sneakers. (Courtesy of James Rhee, VOX ATL)
Even as a middle schooler, before I was interested in any sports, I remember my peers shouting “Kobe!” as they threw their paper ball into the trash can. His name was not just iconic in today’s generation, it was a legacy. He left behind his mamba mentality in so many of the stars we see in the NBA now, such as Trae Young, Jayson Tatum and LeBron James. The work ethic and the amazing talents he brought to the game of basketball have changed the culture of the game forever.
As a retired Lakers player, his passing this week has been felt by everyone in the Los Angeles community.
Kobe was the heart of Los Angles and was looked up to by countless numbers of people in the community, as they painted murals and mourned the loss of a competitor, father, brother, leader and a legend.
Sunday’s helicopter crash also claimed the life of Bryant’s daughter, Gianna, 13. They were reportedly on their way to one of her basketball games when the accident occurred. With Kobe as her father and with his same work ethic embedded in her, Gianna showed strong promise that she would dominate the WNBA. Dominate the same as her father did.
His tragic passing on Jan. 26, was an extremely tragic day, not just the basketball and the Los Angeles community, but the whole world. With millions of people paying their respects on social media to the beloved basketball superstar, it was clear that his impact was global.
As the news of his death gained traction in the media, even players who were scheduled to play on Sunday were emotional. Every team in the NBA that played that day took an eight- second or 24-second violation out of respect for Bryant’s legacy (8 and 24 were Kobe’s jersey numbers). Seeing all the teams honoring his life enhanced that the NBA was more than just an organization of basketball players but an organization of family and people who share the same love for the sport of basketball.
My deepest condolences to the nine lives we lost on Jan. 26, 2020. My prayers and thoughts go out to the friends and family of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan.
Remind the people you love how much they mean to you, and as Kobe himself said when he retired from the game in 2016, “I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now, so we can both savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other all we have.”
James, 16, attends Heritage High School and enjoys listening to music and streetwear culture. He also likes hanging out with his friends and skateboarding in his free time.
This story was published at VOXATL.org, Atlanta’s home for uncensored teen publishing and self-expression. For more about the nonprofit VOX, visit www.voxatl.org.
