Kobe Bryant is one of the most dominant basketball players of all time, and as we all know he recently lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash that took the lives on nine people including Kobe and his daughter. Growing up outside of Los Angeles, Kobe was someone I looked up to a young age. I never got to watch Michael Jordan because I was too young, so to me Kobe was the greatest athlete I had ever seen. Bryant was the player of a generation taking home countless accolades in his storied 20-year career, he was a 5-time NBA Champion, MVP, two time finals MVP, 18-time all-star, 4-time all-star game MVP, he was named to the All-NBA team 15 times, the All-Defensive Team 12 times, two-time NBA scoring champion, Slam Dunk champion, and the all-time leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe modeled his game after the best, and by doing so he became a legend. While everyone imitates their heroes in some way, few have the dedication and passion to become heroes themselves. Jackie Macmullin wrote an amazing article on the accomplishments and life of Kobe Bryant and what made Kobe the legend he is. Kobe’s Mamba Mentality was what set him apart, a 20 year career filled with triumph for one of the best to bless the court, but his dedication to overcome anything and everything is why the entire world felt his loss. The Black Mamba was a different beast on the court, who else could suffer an achilles tendon tear in the middle of a game, stand up, nail a free throw, and walk off the court without showing the pain he was in. In the words of Kobe himself “mamba out” but he will live on forever.
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