Kobe Bryant: A Lasting Tribute
By Mehdi Bouneb
Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) react against the Indiana Pacers in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia is home to where Kobe Bryant’s memorable career began.
Bryant was only 13 years old when he scored his first points for Lower Merion High.
Four years later, Bryant concluded his high school career with 2,883 points, the Pennsylvania State Championship, a McDonald’s All-American selection, the 1996 Naismith Player of the Year, and a Gatorade Player of the Year title.
On Monday April 29, 1996, Bryant made an important announcement, documented in the book Kobe Bryant: Basketball Big Shot by Jeff Savage:
“I decided to skip college and take my talent to the NBA. I say why not? The opportunity is there. I want to get out there and compete with the greatest players on earth now. I know Michael [Jordan] isn’t going to be in the league forever, [Charles] Barkley, [Hakeem] Olajuwon. I want to get my crack at those guys before they are gone.”
On June 26, 1996, Kobe got his wish.
The Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.
However, Kobe was only a Hornet for a couple minutes.
A former Laker legend, Jerry West, pulled off a trade that brought a future Laker legend in Bryant to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac.
Here we are, 20 years later, with nothing but thankful words and kind thoughts.
55,415 minutes and counting, five NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVP, one regular season MVP, 17 All-Star selections, four NBA All-Star Game MVP, 11 All-NBA First-Team selections, nine All-Defensive first team nominations, two scoring titles, 1997 Slam Dunk Contest champion, and third place among the all-time scorers in NBA history.
It goes without saying that Kobe’s twentieth season isn’t going as smooth as fans would have wanted.
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For the season, Kobe is averaging 15.7 points on 31% from the field including 20% from long-range, and 3.4 assists (the lowest since his sophomore year).
Bryant has been great for 17 years. However, the last three seasons have been cut short due to injuries. His decline began with a torn achilles at the end of the 2012/13 season.
Kobe returned the following season but was lost to a lateral tibial plateau fracture.
To no surprise, he made yet another comeback but once again suffered a season ending injury – a torn rotator cuff.
This time, Kobe’s comeback will be his last ooh rah.
If he can stay healthy, April 13, 2016, will be his final game in Lakers uniform — any uniform for that matter.
If we have learned anything through the last 20 years, it’s that Kobe would never let Laker fans down.
He battled through countless injuries and numerous difficult moments. Kobe always managed to give it his all night in and night out.
Kobe inspired us when he walked to the free-throw line with a torn Achilles, unknown to fans at the time.
He shot and made those free-throws and then walked off on his own.
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It’s as if he was saying to everyone that he was alright, but in fact, it was his way of telling us that he will not go out this way but leave on his own terms.
Three years after the injury, Kobe decided to hang them up after his twentieth year.
The Lakers have 66 games remaining in the schedule.
Fans can cheer him on for the ones he plays in.
Bottom Line: It’s Bryant’s time to ride into the sunset.
Until the final buzzer sounds off on April 13, 2016, fans can appreciate what they’ve seen for the last 20 years because once that moment comes, there will not be another Kobe Bryant.
Cherish every minute of every game, we won’t have the chance to in a few months.