DURING the 2008 NBA finals, I gloated when I saw a Boston Celtics fan holding a huge placard that said, “You are not MJ.” It was directed at Kobe Bryant, who was in the middle of suffering his worst loss in a finals game as the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 6, 131-92 to Boston.
I never liked Kobe for most of his career and seeing that picture gave me a chance to gloat.
But along the way, I, and millions of other haters, skeptics, changed the way we viewed Kobe. I can’t exactly say when that happened. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t even during the 2010 finals, when he won his last ring.
Growing up as a big Michael Jordan fan, I hated Bryant when he came into the league. He was brash, gung ho and well, he didn’t deserve the MJ comparisons.
That hatred grew in the 2003 All-Star Games when Kobe spoiled what could have been Jordan’s perfect farewell. Having turned 40 and playing in his last All-Star Game, Jordan hit what I thought was a game-winner, the latest in a career full of them. But there was Bryant, stealing the show. He tied it with two late free throws after getting fouled on a three.
That was the last All-Star Game I ever watched from tip-off to final buzzer.
And when Bryant got involved in a rape case, his haters multiplied. He lost most of his fans.
However, before he would end his career, he would become the most loved basketball player of his time. I don’t know when I switched sides in the Kobe saga. I think it was that time when he was the only bright spot in the Lakers roster. I mean, who couldn’t not love the guy when he sank two free throws despite a torn Achilles? In an age where load management is a touchy subject, here’s this legend, ignoring a season-ending injury to make sure he makes those free throws.
I think it was at that time I began to read almost any Bryant story with gusto. From ignoring and hating him, I learned to admire him. Being first on the gym and being the last to leave. That’s just impressive. Stories of him returning to the gym if he wasn’t happy with his performance in a game.
That’s just Kobe.
And of course, gone was the hate when Bryant visited the Philippines and reciprocated the love shown on him by millions of fans.
Those same millions the world over tuned in on April 13, 2016. His last game as a Laker. Also on that day, the Golden State Warriors were about to make history as they were set to win a record 73rd game in their 73-9 season. But the Warriors’ date with history was second lead that day.
It was all Kobe, and boy did he go out in style. Before that, I couldn’t remember an NBA game I watched from start to finish without touching the remote. I wanted to cherish it and Bryant didn’t disappoint. Sure, every Laker seems to look for Kobe on offense, but hey I didn’t mind it. Criticized by fans for taking too many shots, every fan wanted Kobe to take every shot.
And make them he did. Scoring 60 as he willed the Lakers to erase a 10-point lead in the last three minutes. And his very last play? The guy who was criticized for being too selfish? His play as an assist.
He wasn’t MJ. But like MJ, he was special, the greatest of all time. He was the Black Mamba.