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So I was feeling pretty lazy. Did what I would call a mild workout earlier in the day. Just didn't feel like doing anything else. Then I just rewatched Kobe's 60 point game. The highlights and did an hour of intense cardio at 3 am. I wa S just thinking this dude scored 60 (bleep) points in his last game at age 37 what's my excuse? There is none. Kobe is simply an inspiration to us all. When you're just not feeling it. When you're struggling. When life is trying to get you down all you have to do is think of the Mamba and everything he went through and overcame. We all have that Black Mamba in is. No quitting. No pouting. No whining, just (bleep) do it. Period. Push through everything and anything and get whatever needs to be done, done.
You see a man struggle through the last three seasons of his career. Struggling with what he's gonna do next and now he has a plan for himself and there's no reason to believe he won't have tremendous success in his next career. You see the way Kobe not only accepted challenges, but rose above them and challenged himself further. Pushing himself above and beyond. I'll never forget his postgame interview after losing in the 2003 playoffs to San Antonio when he was asked how hard he'd work in the summer and he not surprisingly said he'd push himself to exhaustion. I mean man that kind of commitment. That kind of emotion and passion for what you do is just unmistakable.
I know some people think athletes aren't great role models for kids and normally I'd concur, but this guy is just a different story to me. I think anyone whatever is your passion is should look up to this man. The way he demands success and sheer hard work, determination, and constantly refining his craft is just unlike anyone I've ever seen. We always hear if this guy ever reaches his potential or that guy does and it doesn't always happen. Other players get content and it's hard to blame them once you reach a certain point. What I and a lot would call a psychotic compe or much like Michael Jordan is what perfectly exemplifies Kobe Bryant. This dude was already argurably the best player in the league right after Shaq's decline and departure and already has three championships. Most guys would've said well "(bleep) y'all haters I got money and three rings I don't need to prove anyone wrong". Kobe said "no (bleep) you all I will prove you right, I will make you eat your words". I will be 10x the player I am now and damn if it wasn't for the Chris Paul debacle and subsequent Achilles tear Kobe would've likely ended up with at least six or seven.
Kobe is just flat out awesome man. I can't fathom how anyone can not appreciate and admire this man. To put that much in for such a lengthy period of time. Never backing down. Never ceasing from the immense pressure like we've seen others do. Overcoming early failures like the air balls against Utah when he was 18, or even later on in the Finals in 2004 and 2008 (Not that it was all his fault). That just takes such an incredible amount of mental toughness. As much admiration as I have for the great and I mean great Kareem, Magic, Shaq, etc. Kobe will always be my favorite Laker. Magic believes he's the best Laker. I agree with him although that will always be a great debate to have. Honestly I expected some dejection, some depression from Kobe's impending retirement. Knowing the man I grew up watching and became a basketball and Lakers fan was riding off into the sunset. Yet I'm not sad at all. I'm happy for him that he got to go out his way. He was able to have his retirement tour. He was able to show the young guys in that finale what it takes to reach this pinacle in a career.
I openly acknowledge it was emotional for me, but not in a sad way. Just in an appreciative way me just being so thrilled and feeling so lucky I got to see this man dominate for at the highest level, prove every single doubter along the way wrong, leading this team to the promise land time and time again, and just having one of the truly remarkable and historic careers. Ultimately Kobe obviously is beyond ecstatic he got to as he put it live out his dream. Playing for the best orginization for two decades, but I truly believe he is also very happy that he clearly was an inspiration to so many people. Seeing all these people show up for every game in his final season. It wasn't just about basketball. It was about life too. It was about all us fans showing immense respect and appreciation to a man who taught us all that quitting should never be in your vocabulary. That slacking off should never be an option. That chasing your dreams and absolutely driving yourself to the best of your ability should always be a no brainer.
Even though Kobe is retired I still find myself constantly wearing his jersey. Matter of fact just got some Kobe sneakers. He's had a tremendous impact on my life and that kind of admiration will never go away. A decade from now I'll still be thanking and appreciating Kobe. No doubt. Just watching some old highlights and just having a huge smile on my face because of the fact that I got to see all these great games. I didn't have to watch tape like I did with those that came before. I saw it with my own eyes. I witnessed (bleep) history. Saying Kobe was great, was sensational, was terrific, doesn't even do it justice. The man was Superman for two decades. Now he's put up the cape, but we won't ever forget how he saved us and the Lakers franchise. Time and time again.
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So this alt was created in July 2015 and has tried to do subtle trolling including the sort of funny "who is the greatest raper"
I want some behind the scenes detail about who thought this alt needed to be stretched?
tl;dr
So it wasn’t a dream. I didn’t imagine it. In the last game of his career Kobe really did score 60. Outscored the Jazz 23-21 in the 4th. 15 straight in the last 3 minutes. 5/5 shooting, 4/4 from the line, and splashed the game winning pull up jumper. Last play of his career was an assist. Just as 81, 62 in 3, 4 straight 50, entire month averaging 40, and oh yeah, 5 rings are etched in our memories, now we have the mindboggling finale of 60 on 50 shots at age 37. And I was fortunate enough to see the magic in person at Staples.
As some of you know, I’ve always been a Lakers fan from the Midwest/East Coast. Saw many Laker games at the Palace in Detroit and Phillips in Atlanta. Never made it to a game in Los Angeles, not once at Staples. Until 4/13/2016, Mamba Day. Pretty good decision to fly out and go to the Finale.
I said it that night and to anyone who has asked me since that game, but I truly don’t think I can do that game or experience justice with words. However, I always try to have a thread when I make it out to a game, so one last time, here was my game experience for what ended up living up to... exceeding, a truly once in a lifetime experience.
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So, I went with LS, who I’ve known through LG for about 10 years. Where has the time went? AWESOME dude. Reminisced about the good ol’ days, and then before I knew it, we were walking through the chaos to Staples. I didn’t know if I had stepped into a time machine back to 2010 and was part of the championship parade on Figueroa. Time travel was a consistent theme throughout the night.
By the way: Seeing the Magic / West / Cap / Chick statues was so freaking cool. So much history, tradition, and greatness. That’s a big reason why I became a Laker fan. Well that and then some y 18 year old with an afro.
Indescribable atmosphere inside and out of Staples. A celebration of greatness. 20 years of one of the best to ever do it in the NBA and arguably the Greatest Laker of All-Time. A glamour franchise which has seen one iconic player after another. As much as this legend gave in the 20 years, the fans wanted to give it all back to him. Nothing but effusive adulation and sincere gra ude. It was beautiful.
I think that’s what makes that night so special, so unique, and something that I don’t think we ever see again. Longevity? 20 (!!!) years. Historical significance? If I start typing the accomplishments, records, breathtaking moments and virtuoso performances, I won’t finish this thread for a week. Entertainer? Even had the Greatest Basketball Showman of all out of his seat many of times and singing his praises. Highest of highs AND lowest of lows. Immaturity AND growth. We watched the kid grow into a man, and everything that comes with that. He was OUR dude, Must See TV for 20 years. He was the constant. No matter what was going on, we had Kobe. And with the story coming to a close, he wrote the ending in a way only he could.
Starting with the pregame, I took in every moment. Loved it. The last Kobe shootaround ever (is he hitting?! oh God please tell me he's hitting pregame...this is crucial), the tribute video right before Magic spoke may have been my favorite (I’ve seen the “With the 13th pick in the draft … Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School” a million times, but this time it just hit home. We’ve come full circle, the journey is...over), Magic’s intro, everything was just so on point. The buildup and anticipation was at a fever pitch, and I’m pretty sure I started losing rational thought and going straight into little kid fan mode around this time. Maybe Kobe really COULD go off! It felt like the old days ... when anything was possible because it's Kobe Bryant.
...and then he started 0/5 and I was reminded he’s 37, his body’s broken down, and hasn’t had a “KOOOOOBE” game from start to finish in years. But this is still Kobe (bleep) Bryant. He kept pushing through. He was taking this to empty. Got rolling and the crowd is delirious. The game is close and at this point I’m hoping and praying for 40 points and maybe a clutch shot. Hey, it could happen right?!
Side note: He starts the 2nd quarter on the bench, which is the only time I see that I’ll be able to get food. Starving is totally an option if needed. If Kobe went 48, then I’m right there the whole time. Others have the same mindset. We joke in the line they should stop the game and wait until everyone is back just in case Kobe comes back a little too early. It’s that serious.
LS says to me Kobe can do no wrong this game, at some time in the second half when Kobe gives up an easy layup. This could not be more true. Others shooting the ball? What the (bleep) are they thinking, game’s slipping away! It’s pressure packed! Kobe needs to put the team on the back and save the day! Is it 2006 again?! Sure feels like it. Great seeing Kobe go off, but so anxious like we’re about to lose a crucial playoff game. Kobe keeps plugging along, but it’s starting to look bad for the W. At some point he cleared 40, which seemed like a given and funny if you consider just how done Kobe’s been. But, when they were down 10 with 3 minutes to go, I told LS, “...it’s slipping away. I don’t know if Kobe can get that red hot anymore, and/or if we have the defense to make this happen.” What transpired after that is the stuff of legend that you tell your kids...and then their kids. And you tell their kid’s punk Lebron Jr. reppin’ friends right before telling them to get off your lawn.
Every one of those shots and points were needed, and the guy delivered on every single one. Electric. Surreal. Mesmerizing. Knowing every shot was going in and still being blown away that this was ACTUALLY happening. After what turned out to be the game winning shot, if Utah hypothetically scored to go up 1 and Laker ball, I’m 87% sure I was going to have a heart attack. Thankfully they bricked the three. Kobe got the two free throws to get to 60, of which there was ZERO doubt they were going in. NONE. This guy on this same net swished two free throws on a torn achilles. He wasn’t missing these. Looking at the replay, seeing him push through literal exhaustion, I was just so grateful. Easy to keep shouting “Come on Kobe!!! One more time!!! LET’S GO!!!”, but then seeing how dead tired he was, just how human he is, but still delivering one last time...man. Reminded me of this quote from after he passed MJ:
"What a journey this has been. Setting this mark is a huge honor. I’m aware of Father Time’s curfew. He has sent me to my room to brush my teeth before he tucks me in, but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t walk to the bathroom slowly. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t act as if someone misplaced the toothpaste. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t brush every tooth twice, brush my tongue three times, floss until my gums bleed and rinse with mouthwash until the inside of my mouth burns and then goes numb."
Well on this night he went all 12 rounds with Father Time, gave him everything and then some. Father Time may be undefeated, but Kobe put up the best fight I've ever seen.
We’ll look back on this night and say “Oh of course Kobe scored 60 in his last game! It’s Kobe!”, but I think even the staunchest of Kobe fans were surprised by the perfection of that plot twist. It was just so masterful. Anyone that knows Kobe figured he could probably get the shots up, but if you’ve seen the past 3 seasons, to convert at that rate/efficiency, nailing every clutch shot at the end, at his age, after being mummified just to make it to this game? Unreal … even for The Kobe Standard.
Earlier I said what made this so special was that he was OURS. As silly as it may sound about a sports athlete, he meant a lot to many of us for a myriad of reasons. At least that’s what it was for me. Where haters saw selfish, I saw unyielding confidence. Where haters saw poor shot selection, I saw repe ion in every shot imaginable. Where haters saw a narcissistic (bleep), I saw someone who succeeded like few else … doing it HIS way. Magic said that Kobe never cheated the game or the fans. Perfectly stated. No one has ever put in the work Kobe has or squeezed every last bit of potential out of themselves the way he did. The injuries he played through, unbelievable stuff. He defied logic played through it all and eventually just broke himself. It was the only way his career of being "Kobe" the one we know and loved (or loved to hate) was going to end. And on this night, I just wanted to see him get rewarded for all of that. No, not even for my entertainment, but for the guy who watched more game film than imaginable, put in more work than anyone can fathom, dedicated themselves to the game, shed blood, sweat, and tears...I wanted to see it for him. Yes, he has the rings and countless accomplishments, but I, and Laker Nation, wanted to see him be able to write his own ending, walk out on his own terms. I wanted to see one last time Kobe being...Kobe. Vintage Kobe. Black Mamba Kobe. (bleep) everyone Kobe. Give me the ball and get the (bleep) outta the way we’re getting the W Kobe. I was beyond elated that the guy who gave basketball SO much was able to have the basketball Gods give him something back in his finale. No one deserved it more than our guy.
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