Between the legs, left to right. One dribble to create separation, but the defender anticipated it well. Head fake as a decoy. Right foot pivot behind, then immediately back. Fade away jumper. Shot clock, barbecue chicken. Kobe! My empty Starbucks plastic cup that was once a caramel frappuccino rattles out of the recycling can onto the pavement and we lose the game. But I’ll be back.
When I was younger, I had a fathead of the Black Mamba on my wall — alongside a bunch of other Laker and Kobe paraphernalia. My fondness of the Mamba came from my mom and dad, who are both from Philly — similar to Kobe. Playing basketball from an early age, my parents encouraged me to play like and model my game off of Kobe.
“Watch how fearless he is,” they’d say. “Look at how he handles pressure.”
This was the foundation of my affinity for the five-time NBA Champion, Kobe Bryant. From there, I took every chance I could to watch the Mamba play and wanted to emulate his “Mamba Mentality” both on and off the court. I’d wear — and continue to wear — his Nike I.D shoes frequently, I’d yell “Kobe” when shooting a basketball or a piece of trash into the trash can, and every time I could get game from his interviews or words, I’d soak them up like a sponge.
Through watching, cheering for, and emulating my mentality off of Kobe, I developed a drive to be great in each and every passion I put my effort into. His dedication and love for his craft went beyond any figure I had bear witness to before.
His cold blooded demeanor in times of turmoil, his work ethic to master the game of basketball, and his dedication to succeed was exemplary. It is for these reasons that Kobe Bryant was my idol.
Although Kobe — who has inspired and led millions of people across the world through his ethics and abilities — is no longer here in the physical form, his spirit shall live on in all of us. The pursuit of greatness and the goals we wish to achieve cannot — and will not — be overshadowed by the inevitable adversity we will face in life.
The Mamba Mentality is a power that will transcend the life of Kobe Bryant and live on as his legacy forever.
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I would imagine he’d want all of us to continue fighting and working for what we love and cherish. #24 will forever live on in the Universe, and in the hearts of those who were watching. May he, his daughter, and the other lives taken in the tragic incident rest in paradise. Thank you, Kobe Bean Bryant. #MambaOut