On Legacy & Legends
One of the things you come to terms with in life is that your idols are mere mortals like everyone else. That despite the pedestal we put them on at the end of the day they are human. Individuals that use their talent, minds, and body & give back to the world in their own way. Today one my larger than life idols left the world much too soon. Kobe Bryant gave the NBA 33,634 points, countless sports memories, the city of LA multiple championships and like many others a young 11-year-old boy the idea that anything was possible.
I grew up mesmerized as my favorite player continued to define what greatness was in his craft. I can vividly remember the playoff games, buzzer beaters, the 81-point game & many more. Showcasing what work ethic, determination, and focus & discipline that was almost inhuman. However, he was just that human. A son, father, icon to many. We lost more than an athlete, we lost a symbol. Like anyone, he was flawed. Riddled with his own mistakes & major mishaps that put even his great legacy at stake. The 2003 sexual assault, showcased at its peak that much like his “Black Mamba” persona Kobe Bryant & the man who stepped on the court were almost separate identities. One dealing with the issues of the sport & the other life in the spotlight. However, I’d be lying If I didn’t say despite all the controversy at that age the man or mamba seemed untouchable to me.
At 11 I had wide-eyed ambitions like any other kid, I wanted to be an athlete like all the players I grew up watching. Wanting to accomplish a mere portion of their success. However, life didn’t pan out that way & it turned out that the lessons on the court weren’t what I took away most, rather the lessons off-court that defined me. Permission to be great. To be unapologetically great at what you do. Whether that was basketball or business or what have you. Kobe to me represented all of that at an early age. Ultimately it led to me starting a Youtube channel under the username “Lakercoolman” in homage to the team that was the sole reason I was signing up to Youtube in the first place. One passion led to another & started me on my path to the career that I have today.
If it wasn’t for my love of the game of basketball & the icon that was Kobe Bryant I can confidently say I would’ve never signed up for Youtube & considered producing any sort of content online. He was the first idol & symbol that to me showcased what “success” looked like moreover what it did to get there. Someone willing to grind it out & never take the easy way out. To focus & sacrifice whatever it took to achieve that level of greatness we all strive to find.
When Kobe retired I feared not being able to watch the sport of basketball without his highlights. To watch the team I’ve followed for over a decade without its star player. LA Lakers without the “Laker” #8 & #24. Though as in the sport of basketball Kobe set out again on his second act diving into the world of business. The same mentality that had got him to where he was in the NBA he took to whatever he did. I never would’ve imagined it would be one of the last things I got to witness Kobe do.
I’m thankful for all the game winners I got to witness miles away on TV screaming at the top of my lungs in excitement, running around the house or in the court in my backyard imagining I’d someday dawn the purple & gold. Even more grateful I got to witness his presence & greatness in his last NBA season. The wisdom he imparted not as one of the greatest athletes but as someone who showcased success was a mindset & no matter what you do or aimed to achieve that greatness was possible.
I had wished for the longest time I would’ve had the opportunity in some capacity to sit down & thank the man for the impact he had on me as well as I’m sure millions of others. Unfortunately, I won’t get that chance. Though I know if it wasn’t for the path he paved in his life & career that mine wouldn’t be where it's at today.
On this day I remember the importance of not just life but death. Those things come in life both within & out of our control. We are the creators of our legacy both good & bad. Legends in our own rights with the ability to write our stories every day. Reminded that the importance of what we do with our life's work, who we do it for, & how we help others, in turn, do the same.
Rest in peace to someone who impacted my life so heavily doesn’t seem enough. The legacy lives on. Forever a legend both on & off the court. The black mamba, #8, #24, the laker great, and at the core human like anyone one of us, someone that loved what they did & did it to the best of his capability in all aspects. Kobe Bryant.
