Around the Kilt: Remembering Kobe
Griff Morrill - News Editor
In my first 21 years of life, Kobe Bryant’s death is one of the first celebrity deaths that has truly shaken my peers and I. As a young boy, I remember watching Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers dominate the NBA long before the takeover of the now current super teams.
Since the tragic helicopter accident that also took the lives of his daughter, Gigi Bryant, and seven other people aboard, many have come to honor and celebrate the lives of the victims.
Throughout the NBA, many players have been paying tribute to Kobe, as he was the primary role model player many grew up watching. Players such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Pau Gasol, Isaiah Thomas, and Joel Embiid are just several that have payed tribute to Kobe.
For myself, Kobe goes down in the top five greatest competitors in all of sports. From staying loyal to the Lakers organization for his entire career to winning back-to-back NBA finals, Kobe put his team on his back and led his team to many dramatic victories. An example of his competitive nature is apparent in his 2009-2010 season. During the season, Kobe hit seven game winners that would result in the Lakers earning the number one seed going into the playoffs. If not for these pivotal shots, the Lakers could have easily fallen to a lower seed resulting in a different outcome where the Lakers are not back-to-back world champions.
Although Kobe was best known for his basketball career, it is important to note many of Kobe’s accomplishments were bigger than basketball. Before his tragic death, Kobe was a big advocate for the WNBA and more importantly women sports as a whole. Along with this, he was a great example of a father and family man.
Liam Meyer - Contributing Writer
One of the top ten greatest players in NBA history, Kobe Bryant will leave a lasting impact on our generation for years to come. Many players in the NBA were deeply affected by his recent passing. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and especially LeBron James. These players posted on social media and paid their own special tributes to Kobe by wearing his number in warmups or changing their number from 8 or 24 to another one. This move is likely an effort to get the league to retire these numbers league wide. Many teams also committed 24 and 8 second violations the following day in honor of his legacy.
There has also been discussion to make Kobe Bryant the new NBA logo. I personally like this idea because it hasn’t been updated in what feels like 50 years. Jerry West, the current individual on the logo, has expressed that he wants the NBA to change the logo. I hope the NBA will consider this change not only for West’s sake, but also honoring a legendary player that deserves it.
In my personal experience with Kobe, growing up, I didn’t really pay attention to the NBA because my hometown Milwaukee Bucks were never any good. As for Kobe, I never got to see him play in person, let alone TV. I do however, enjoy reading stories of his aggressive playing style and mentality that has coined the term, “mamba mentality.” His determined attitude of hard work that allowed him to become a five-time NBA champion and Most Valuable Player, is something that has inspired thousands of fans across the globe to put in that extra effort. He is a legendary player that I wish I could have experienced growing up, but I know that his legacy, along with Gigi’s, will never be forgotten.
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