Kobe Bryant’s Journey Was Beyond Basketball

The timeframe in which I’m writing this blog is moments after finding out the news that NBA Icon Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday Afternoon January 26th 2020. 

My thoughts are not immediately on his Championships, MVP’s and/or NBA Hall of Fame Career. My thoughts are more really with his family. Kobe Bryant was only 41 years old, and I saw a man that was around his kids, a man who made peace with the sport he retired from and loved since he first picked up a basketball. A man that made a transition in front of the whole world from a young High School Phenom to Sports Icon and so much more. 

I saw all of Kobe Bryant’s life that was in the public eye. I did not know him personally. His private life was never any of our business, but was on display. Kobe Bryant took his “Philly Toughness”, “Win At All Cost” focus mentality to LA. In a city that spits out so many young talents and gets rid of them. Kobe had his growing pains, but remained professional and focused only on winning. Bring the Los Angeles Lakers multiple Championships. Which is why Kobe is beloved in Los Angeles, the Lakers Organization and NBA history forever. 

After watching him start and develop Mamba Academy a place that educates and improves basketball mentality as well as physically skills. His transition from being “The Professional Basketball Player” to starting and building a few new chapters (Family Man, Oscar Winning Filmmaker, and of course Sports Businessman) in his life, is so inspiring.

Do I remember the great Kobe moments? Of course I do! The Evolution of Kobe Bryant, is what I will remember the most.