Los Angeles Lakers: Why Kobe Bryant’s Image Will Never be the Same

Apr 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) walks with a medical staff member against the Golden State Warriors during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The image of Kobe Bryant crumpling to the ground as he drove to his left from the top of the key is still not settling with me. There’s three minutes to go in the game, and each time I replay the video in my mind he hits the ground harder, faster. He is as helpless to his own ambition as Lenny to his devices. Kobe couldn’t help himself, and shouldn’t have had to. But his body couldn’t help him anymore either. It gave out.

Kobe Bryant, one of the most famous people in the world, has never been easy to identify with from the time he took the court for the Los Angeles Lakers. But in his last moment on the court he became his most sympathetic.

Kobe Bryant played less than 65 regular season games twice in his 17 regular seasons, and 1 of those was a lockout-shortened season. After his second year, he always averaged more than 35 minutes. Then add all of his playoff games and minutes. Kobe rarely takes any time off, and rarely plays at full health. Kobe is a competitor if nothing else, and I often wonder how he can out-will and perform his peers. Kobe on the court is more than human.

Apr 12, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) is helped up by teammates against the Golden State Warriors during the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

But he came crashing down against the Warriors. From the top of the NBA stratosphere he hit the hardwood like he was coming out of orbit. As flawed as he may be, I had never seen the bounds of his abilities and drive. I still haven’t seen the bounds of his drive. But to see his physical abilities betray his mental will is very humanizing.

To be a true hero you have to struggle. In the past Kobe has had problems, but they haven’t humanized him. His accused rape in Colorado, struggles at home, and rehabbing his image haven’t made him human and sympathetic, but more disappointing and frustrating that he misused his status and opportunities.

No one ever had a perfect record, in their sport or their personal life. But our biggest heroes had their troubles and their accomplishments become mythic as a result. Michael Jordan is the biggest American sports hero and icon of the last 25 years. He did nothing but succeed on the court, but his many retirements, and struggles in baseball and management humanized him if only a little. Muhammad Ali was banned from boxing. Tom Brady was drafted 199th overall. Magic Johnson is HIV positive. Pete Rose is still not in the Hall of Fame.

Kobe Bryant collapsed to the STAPLES Center court. There was no contact. We can throw blame around, and some of it will stick. But there was nothing that could be done. His left achilles gave out. Kobe Bryant the athlete. The NBA superstar. The 5 time NBA champion is not relateable. But he is as sympathetic a figure as ever as a result as the Lakers try to limp into the playoffs without him in their troublesome 2013 campaign.