The Icon That Was Gone Too Soon...
I woke up thinking, how could this tragic moment happen so soon? How could it happen so suddenly? Why did this have to happen? So many emotions and questions came running into my head, and I realized, there is no definitive answer for a situation as heartbreaking as this was. For me, Kobe Bryant was someone I looked up to as an example of how to be great in this world. The impact he had on all of us made me think, how can one person affect you so much without even knowing them? How could someone who you have never spoken to in your life comfort you in ways that even your family could never? This tragic incident broke not just my own heart, but millions upon millions of others across the nation as the world stopped with grief and confusion. Kobe inspired me in ways that are indescribable to a point where I can't even explain how or why he did. I write this article with tears in my eyes and also comfort that I was grateful enough to comprehend and appreciate the legend that Kobe was. Watching his final game in LA was one of the fond memories I have of the Mamba as he scored 60 points. I mean, you can't make up something like that. However, the thing that made Kobe Bryant truly special was what he did outside of the game and how he tried his very best to help and inspire everyone he was able to come across. The reason why Kobe Bryant was so dear to my heart and was an icon and a hero to me was that of everything else he did outside of the NBA.
Before I became a basketball fan, I would scratch my head and think, why did people care so much about a sport that you throw a ball in a circular ring? I look back at that and wish that I didn't ask such an ignorant question. Yet the one player that made me realize my flawed mindset was the great Kobe Bryant. In my early days of researching and understanding the complexities of the game of basketball, the only thing that seemed transparent to me was how great Kobe Bryant and his legacy truly were. Even though one of my biggest regrets in life was never watching Kobe in his prime, the one thing that I am grateful for was, watching a glimpse of his greatness from 2014-2016. However, the main reason why I loved Kobe so much was because of how he touched humanity the way he did. Even though he may have been competitive on the court, he was always a pure-hearted, caring, family man off the court who just wanted to make an impact on his children and the future generations of this world. Without Kobe Bryant, the NBA wouldn't be the same as he stamped himself as one of the most impactful athletes in sports history. It's sad to me that I only really appreciated the greatness of Kobe Bryant once he died, which opened my eyes to always appreciate everything and anything that comes across your life. as Jay Williams said,
“Today is a tough day, I hope that everybody at home you give that person love and if you have any grudges or any hard feelings with that person whether its small or big, let that sh*t go. It doesn’t matter, none of that matters it’s about life and being precious with every second we have in this world. We have to be there for each other.
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Kobe Bryant's departure from this world is something that will forever be embedded in my life and something I will never take for granted. Even though Kobe Bryant was a legend on the court, the memories I have of him are mostly off the court. Whether it's creating the Mamba academy to help train the next generation of athletes or being the best father he can be, Kobe was more impactful in ways beyond comprehension. This horrific tragedy that occurred so suddenly put a scar on the world and made everyone realize how important it is to always appreciate what you have because it can disappear as quickly as snapping your fingers. Kobe Bryant taught the world what it means to truly be great in this world. He was always a diligent, hard-working, committed human being while also maintaining respect and responsibility to always aid his family with love and dedication. His passion was always basketball, however, the thing that got him excited to get out of his bed every morning to work harder than ever was, to make his family proud. Kobe's family meant the world to him as he aspired to display all of the qualities to his daughters to help lead them into what it means to be the greatest ever. Championships and MVP awards are nice to have, however, making a positive impact on his daughters was his proudest achievement. As Kobe Bryant once said,
“Watching my daughter score her first basket meant more to me then all of the success I achieved in basketball. ”
I think the reason why Kobe Bryant's death hit me so hard was because of how much he looked forward to being with his family. There was so much in store for the great Mamba, and to see him gone so suddenly is something the world will have troubles overcoming because we never got to see the second chapter of his life. Kobe was a father, a husband, an author, an athlete, a public speaker and, most of all, an example of what it means to be great in this world. Kobe left us with an impact that can be seen across the globe. The world mourned for the black Mamba and continue to mourn due to how special he was to millions of people. Not a lot of people can leave the world with that type of impact on you. He inspired the next generation of not just athletes, but people in what it means to be great in anything that caught there eye.
January 26, 2020, is a day I will never forget. The world lost one of the most impactful people to ever touch this planet, and it just breaks my heart every time I think about it. The greatest lesson that I can take from Kobe Bryant's incredible life is, he embedded and created the Mamba mentality. His hard work and dedication that he displayed towards his passion is something that will forever inspire and motivate not only myself but millions of people across the globe. However, the number one lesson that I take from Kobe Bryant's death is to never give up on your dreams. Thank you, Kobe Bryant, for inspiring millions of people across the globe including me. Without Kobe Bryant, DunkinDhooma wouldn't exist. Without Kobe Bryant, my love and passion for basketball wouldn't exist. Thank you, Mamba, for being an icon that you were, you will never be forgotten. As Lebron James said,
“In the words of Kobe: Mamba out. In the words of us: not forgotten. Live on brother.
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People come and go but legends last forever.
