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It's hard to put into words how much Kobe meant to LA, to Lakers fans, to true basketball and sports fans around the world and, most importantly, to the people he touched through the many
great things he did outside of sports.
If you're unfamiliar with the facts of his life, I suggest reading up on them. The LA Times is a great place to start. His 'Mamba mentality' is second to none, and brought him the many awards, rings, trophies, and admiration he so deserved.
What he was, was a loving husband and father, choosing to retire in order to spend more time with his family. He coached his daughters' basketball and volleyball teams. Long before homelessness was all over the news, he was working--and donating much money--to help the homeless.
He and his wife, Vanessa, have worked very hard for various charitable causes. He built his Mamba Academy not in toney Newport Beach where he lives, but in down-to-earth Newbury Park.
Was he a god? In sports, yes. In life, no. He was a human being, like the rest of us. But unlike most of us, he was thrown into the
global spotlight at 17. If you think Kobe is the only famous person to have extramarital sex--consensual sex with another adult--you're very naive.
There's been nothing but wall-to-wall coverage of this on the local stations...and it's just so sad. Finding out that one of his girls, Gianna, had died too was nearly unbearable. Three girls have not only lost their dad, but their sister, and a woman has lost her husband and a child. And that's only Kobe's family.
There were seven others who died in that crash, and as I learn about them I mourn for their families, too.
Two years ago, Kobe won an Academy Award for his short film,
Dear Basketball. He was very involved in promoting women's sports and getting fair pay for female athletes. He commented recently that there are several women in the [very under-paid] WNBA who are good enough to play in the NBA--which would put them on equal ground financially with male athletes.
I watched him grow up. From a kid coming off the bench--and causing me to scream at my TV in Dallas, ‘no, don't let Kobe shoot--he'll put up another air-ball!', to the legend he became.
I remember when Gianna was born. I had just moved back here, back home.
He was only 41...there was still so much to do...
And Pau...who my mom called 'pretty boy'...I loved him so much: smart [medical student, multilingual--as was Kobe], cute, talented. Trevor--so good at steals. Great memories.
WTF? My condolences to his family. I remember the news coverage of him when he first came into the league, not a basketball fan but did watch him play a few times, rest in peace Kobe