One Year Later - Taking A Look Back At Kobe's Most Iconic Moments
via nba.com
It’s been one year to the date since the tragic helicopter crash that took Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s life, along with the Atobelli family. I’ll never forget how the world reacted to such news, everyone thought it was some kind of sick joke, heightened by the fact that TMZ was the first news outlet to report on the matter.
I vividly remember getting a phone call from my roommate sometime in the afternoon as I’m getting ready to leave the house, and he reluctantly says “Bro… Kobe died.” My instant reaction was “bullshit!” as the thought of someone so young passing in such a way would never have crossed my mind.
I couldn’t help but stop what I was doing, sit down, and read up on everything going on. I was in shock. I never considered myself an avid Kobe fan like most NBA fans, don’t get me wrong I had nothing against the guy, but regardless of my fanship towards him, this one hurt.
Basketball fans everywhere knew how much Kobe meant to the game. Kobe did more for the game of basketball than half the NBA hall of fame combined, he dedicated his life to it in every way possible.
I don’t want to harp on the tragedy too much, instead I would like to honor the career of a legend. I have put together what I believe to be the top three moments from Kobe’s time in a Lakers uniform.
3. Kobe shoots free throws on a torn Achilles
First of all, what a badass. If this doesn’t show you just how tough and determined Kobe was as a baller, I don’t know what will. This is a visual example of “Mamba Mentality,” he did all that he could in the moment despite multiple opportunities to be subbed out.
Not only did Kobe fight through the physical pain of a torn achilles (ouch), he also fought through the mental aspects of his injury in the midst of a tight game. This occurred towards the end of Kobe’s career when people were debating whether or not his body could maintain his workrate and level of play at his age.
Kobe could care less about his aging body, he just wanted to ball.
2. Kobe drops 60 points in his final game
This one will make you tear up. I remember gathering around the TV with my friends to watch Kobe’s last game as if it were the Super Bowl; we couldn’t take our eyes off. Full disclosure, the first half of that game was one of the worst halves of basketball I’ve seen in a long time, but in the end it was a spectacular moment.
A storied career ending in fairytale fashion. Kobe said it best, you can’t write a better story than this. It’s almost as if this game was a sign from the universe reminding everyone just how great Kobe really was. Some people had forgot.
1. Kobe drops 81 points on the Raptors
I was only five-years-old when this game happened in 2006, so I can’t sit here and lie as if I experienced this game live. What I can tell you is that I’ve watched the highlights for this game more times than I can count, and I still get chills everytime I see it.
Of course Kobe is known for his clutch performances and showing up in big-time games, but ironically this performance came during one of the more irrelevant games of the season. Jan. 22, 2006 was a Sunday, the same day as the AFC and NFC conference championship games. Most of the sports world’s eyes were turned away until Kobe started cooking in the 2nd half.
Kobe had 26 points by halftime which wasn’t all too unusual for him, though no one expected him to pop off for 81 in a regular season game against Toronto. That’s just Kobe Bryant doing Kobe Bryant things.
This is by far Kobe’s most iconic moment in his career, and it’s a performance that will be discussed in the annals of NBA history for years to come. Narrowing all of Kobe’s iconic moments down to just three was a difficult task considering he has so many.
Here is to honoring the life of a legendary player and legendary person, rest in peace Kobe Bryant.