Remembering “The Black Mamba” Named Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant

Rest In Peace to the great Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant.

You have impacted the game in many ways, modeling your game after the great Michael Jeffrey Jordan and inspired a generation of young boys and girls to pick up a basketball.

Your work ethic was top-notch. Plus, you have always had that killer instinct every time you played the game.

People like to say that you were a sidekick to Shaquille O’Neal. However, you played just as an integral part of the five world championship teams you were on with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02, 2009-10).

Remember Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals? Shaq fouled out during the middle of overtime. Yet, at the tender age of 21, you stepped up to the plate and scored three crucial baskets to silence the crowd at Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers. What makes it more impressive, is that you did it with a sprained ankle.

However, we must go back to when you were in High School. You started off as a hot commodity for Lower Merion High School outside of Philadelphia, PA. Doing electrifying dunks, leading the Aces to the PA State Championship, taking R&B singer Brandy to the prom and earning MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game in Pittsburgh, PA on CBS.

Coach Greg Downer of Lower Merion even took notice of your work ethic at that early age. He even called you “a complete top player” who dominates. No wonder why you were the best player on the team.

Not only you excelled on the hardwood, but you excelled in the classroom. Your 1080 SAT score could have sent you to any school in the world, but you took the risk of joining the NBA at the age of 17.

When you entered the NBA in the 1996-97 season, you were the youngest player in the league. Initially, you were on the bench, but thanks to your exemplary work ethic, you worked your way up. Won the dunk contest and made a spot on the All-Rookie 2nd team with fellow rookie Travis Knight.

I strongly believe that Monday, May 12, 1997, was the day that changed your career forever. Many didn’t realize it at the time, but I believe it made you the great player you were known as.

Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against league MVP Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz. The game is on TNT. With Horry being ejected and Shaq fouling out, it was your time to shine. Despite air-balling four times, it inspired you to work harder during the offseason. Shaq was later quoted as you being the “only guy to have the guts at the time to take these shots.”

Your work ethic over the summer paid off during your second season.

It showed by you improving your stats, leading non-starters with 15.4 Points Per Game. Not only that you were the starter of the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, playing alongside Laker teammates Shaq, Eddie Jones, and Nick Van Exel.

A little-known fact about you is that you are the only cover athlete to appear in two separate NBA games that season. NBA Action 98 for Sega Saturn and PC and Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside on Nintendo 64.

From the years 2000-02, as you enhanced your basketball skills, you became a World Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Shaq.

In addition to this, you cemented yourself as one of the premier players of basketball. Also, it showed that you developed a clutch reputation.

During January and February 2003, you were on a tear. At one point, you scored 40-plus points for nine straight games. Also, during a game against the Denver Nuggets, you scored 12 three-pointers, setting an NBA record.

The next season showed your resiliency as you were going through a trying time. Despite this, you played your heart out whenever you could, even with a team loaded with Shaq, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.

While 2004 did not bring an NBA Title, but greater things were still coming. It may not have been soon, but it was coming anyway.

2004-05 was possibly the lowest point in your career. No Phil, no Shaq. Just you. You were on the All-NBA third team, as the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994.

The next season, Phil Jackson returned to the Lakers. Your 62-point performance against the eventual runner-ups – the Dallas Mavericks and your outstanding 81 points against the Toronto Raptors cemented your legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time.

One thing I’ve always admired about you is that you were able to prove doubters wrong. Especially those who said you wouldn’t be able to win a championship without Shaq.

The 2009 and 2010 Finals victories over the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics (who defeated them two years prior) debunked that myth. Plus, you were the NBA Most Valuable Player during the 2007-08 season.

While your last few years weren’t as satisfying, you still gave it you’re all in the remaining games you played.

The game that stands out is when you tore your Achilles on April 12, 2013, against the Golden State Warriors. Why? Because you made two free throws in pain and still walked to the bench.

Your final year (2015-16) was the most humbling people have witnessed. You preferred not to have a pregame ceremony or to receive gifts. Arenas in Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, and Boston were now cheering you, instead of booing.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016, on a nationally-televised game on ESPN against the Utah Jazz — you came out with a bang. You scored 60 points, the most ever by a player playing his final game and what’s even sweeter is that the Lakers won 101-96.

Since you retired, the game hasn’t been the same since you left. Now, that you and your 13-year-old daughter has gone, the game will be in a darker place without one of its ambassadors.

First, David Stern. Now Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant. Two basketball ambassadors, we’ve lost this early in 2020.

Rest In Peace Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant (August 23, 1978-January 26, 2020). You will be missed in the hearts of many.

Not only you were a great player. You were a better husband, father, and man. Your family and fans will miss you dearly.

Everyone, please live life to the fullest and tell your loved ones that you love them. That also goes for me as well.

Sincerely,

Thomas “Cozzi” Tripp

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