Memories of Acquaintances About Kobe Bryant Essay Example
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continues to use the world, ‘senseless” when describing Kobe Bryant’s death along with eight others. Before his death, Bryant released books, won an Oscar with an incredible winning film, while also developing podcasts. Kobe, of course, established himself as a successful youth basketball coach. The Los Angeles Lakers legend also had more time to spend with family and he was enjoying every minute of it. NBA Legend, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, couldn’t believe the news. “It’s just so senseless that he’s not here,” Abdul Jabbar told the PEOPLE Magazine. “It really doesn’t make any sense to see someone leave before they really had a chance to really show what they’re all about,” he adds.
Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers to five NBA titles during the 1980s and became one of the all-time greats for
...the Lakers. “Like everyone, I appreciated Kobe’s incredible athletic skills,” Abdul-Jabbar said. Abdul Jabbar is currently the leader in points. Bryant had MVP honors in 2008, won two more championships in 2009 and 2010, and made the NBA All-Star team 18 times. After scoring 60 points in his final game at age 37, Bryant ended his career in third place on the all-time scoring list, 4,744 points behind first-place Abdul-Jabaar at 38,387. Bryant is currently in fourth after LeBron passed Kobe the night before his death.
During his retirement, Bryant established the Mamba Sports Academy to pass along his knowledge of basketball to the next generation. The academy is where his daughter, Gianna, quickly became one of the best players in the Academy. “I used to play peekaboo with Gianna when she was five and six years old,” Abdul-Jabbar recalled. “To
see that she doesn’t get a chance to shine with all the promise she possessed? It’s a really pointless tragedy, and that’s what we have to deal with.” “It’s just incredibly saddening,” Abdul-Jabbar continued. “Kobe was just beginning that story and it had to end so tragically and suddenly. I think this sense of loss is really what has affected people.”
Scottie Pippen
A Bulls legend and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen was on Good Morning America the day after the accident and discussed the legacy of Kobe. Pippen was finishing his career in the NBA when Kobe just entered the league as a 17-year-old. When Pippen retired, Kobe has been already a six-time all-star and a three-time NBA champ. Pippen discussed Kobe’s drive and mentality where his competitive fire was unmatched. He also admitted that Michael Jordan had a large impact on Kobe’s career.
“I look back at Kobe and I watch his growth and development,” Pippen explained on Good Morning America. “He was one of those players that idolized Michael Jordan but he mimicked Michael Jordan in a lot of ways, and it was a guy that know, I watched him watch films on one of the greatest players that ever play[ed] the game [Michael Jordan] and he emulated his game to a T and to some degree overcame all of his weaknesses and became to me, one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
Pippen was also a part of one of Kobe's greatest moments in his career. When the Kobe-Shaquille O'Neal Lakers were looking to bring in their first NBA title with head coach Phil Jackson in the 1999-2000 season they had to
compete against the Portland Trailblazers team in the Western Conference Finals, which of course was led by veterans like Pippen, Rasheed Wallace, and Steve Smith. The series ended up going seven games and even with the pressure and spotlight on Kobe, the Lakers won after coming back from a 15-point deficit in game 7.
'I've heard a few players even say it, Kobe Bryant had no weaknesses in his basketball game. He worked hard at everything and he became great at every part of his game.'
Dwyane Wade
The former Miami Heat great, Dwyane Wade posted an emotional video, on the same day of the accident, to the death of Kobe. 'I came in the league and I chased him,' Wade said. 'That's who I chased. I wanted to be respected by him, and once I reached that level, I knew I did something. 'Kobe, thank you, man. Thank you for all the memories — we've got a lot of good ones. These tears that we cry, we're going to miss you. And it's not leaving today, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. We'll forever, forever miss you, man. 'You're a legend, you're an icon, you're a father, you're a husband, you're a son, you're a brother, you're a friend. Thank you for being my friend. I love you, brother.'
Wade was very emotional when he posted his video tribute to Kobe. You could see legitimate tears in his eyes. It’s easy to see how Kobe influenced others and cared for the entire brotherhood that’s in the NBA.
Magic Johnson
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson had a remarkable career with the Lakers after 13 strong seasons with
Los Angeles. Magic is now the president of basketball operations for the Lakers and wanted to share his remembrance of Kobe Bryant a series of tweets. Johnson posted eight tweets to honor Bryant's legacy on and off the court. 'As I try to write this post, my mind is racing,' Johnson said in a tweet. 'I'm in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away.'
My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. Johnson continued to mention Kobe as a 'friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner, and greatest Laker of all-time.'
Johnson continued, 'Words can't express the impact that he had on the game of basketball.” He was such an icon, but also did so much for LA. He was passionate about serving the homeless and was an advocate for women's basketball. Coaching his daughter's basketball team brought him so much happiness. “Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him on Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much.
Johnson finished his Twitter tribute saying that he and his family would 'always be here for the Bryant family.' Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I am praying for Vanessa,
his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family.
