Kobe Bryant: The Greatest NBA Player

Upon hearing that this topic was about heroes, my mind became flooded with ideas and concepts. Family members, historical figures and celebrities had all come to mind. However, this person was the first name that came to mind. This man, depending on your prospective, is either a hero or a villain. To many, he and his qualities are basically the definition of a hero. He has a no-quit attitude, a passion, and a fire in his heart. He has the heart and soul of a true warrior and champion. He has never run, he has fought through the down times, the lows, to achieve greatness, and reach those highs, those great moments. This man is a rare find in this world, nobody will ever be like him. He has a killer instinct, or “Mamba Mentality”, and that is

what separates him from the rest.

He is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and he also has built, and will continue to build, a great legacy off the court. He truly is amazing, there are no words to describe him. He has inspired many to rise up and be like him. He, like everyone, is part hero and part villain. He is the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bean Bryant is a recently retired professional basketball player, shooting guard/small forward for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He has worn two numbers in his career, number 8 and number 24. Throughout the 20 years I have spent with the team, he has built up an impressive list of accomplishments. He has won five NBA championships, appearing in the finals seven times. He received Finals MVP honors in 2009 and 2010, and along with that, league MVP in 2008. Furthermore, Kobe ranks third on the NBA's all-time

scoring list. He has been selected to 15 All-NBA teams, along with 12 All-Defensive teams. He has been selected to 18 All-Star games, receiving MVP of those on four occasions, along with being the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest champion. Kobe is also in a three-way tie for most three point shots made in a game, with 12. In addition, one of his most impressive feats occurred in 2006, when Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. Lastly, as if this isn't enough, he has also lead Team USA Men's Basketball to two gold medals.

Now I know for most, this seems like just a very impressive basketball resume, but for others it is more. Others see those accomplishments as an embodiment of what you can accomplish in life with that same mentality. Sure, the odds of winning five titles and becoming an NBA superstar are low. However, when you carry that “Mamba Mentality”, you can accomplish great things. Think about the millions of kids and maybe even some adults that Kobe has inspired to be like him, and no matter how dark it gets, there is always a light, and if you fight and endure, great things can happen.

One of the subjects that was pondered was what makes Kobe Bryant a hero, not a villain, as some see him. How can I prove he is a hero? Many see him as an amazing basketball star, but few actually understand how Kobe is. He is different, he is special. Few athletes and people in this world have what he has. He has a love and passion and fire for the game of basketball. I mean, sure it is just a game, and sure, he enjoys the millions of dollars he made and continues to make. However, that passion is a rare gift, and it's what makes Kobe special. Nobody in the NBA has the same heart. Kobe would have went through his entire career without a single cent, because he loves the game. Ever since he was small, he's had a love for the game. One prime example of his love

goes back to the end of the 2013 season. The Lakers we slowly declining, and were in a race for the eighth playoff spot. Kobe Bryant guaranteed that the Lakers would make the playoffs: “I felt like the die had to be cast, even for my teammates, it had to be understood - we're doing this thing. It's not a wishy-washy thing. It's 'No, we're doing it.'” Bryant had said in an interview one month prior to seasons end. Former coach Mike D'Antoni and players such as Dwight Howard urged Bryant to come out, take more breaks. “I'll tell you when I need to come out.” was his reply. He fought through injuries, ranging from sprained ankles to bone spurs, to carry his team to the playoffs. In the last seven games, Kobe averaged well over 20 points per game, with several games over 30 points and a few games with over 40 points. MVP chants rained down. In a game against the Kings, Kobe had played all but 23 seconds. The Lakers won five of their last six, still racing with the Utah Jazz for the final playoff spot. The Lakers closed out the season against the Golden State Warriors. Now, Kobe had played 274 minutes out of a possible 288 in the six games prior. Lately, Bryant had been sore, and could barely walk. He had been saying his Achilles felt tight for a long while. Teammates grew more and more concerned for Bryant, but Kobe just could not quit. “Kobe is who he is, that's what makes him different.”, trainer Garry Vitti said, “I think if Jesus came down and said 'Kobe, you can't do this,' Kobe would probably say something like, 'Why don't you stick to making water to wine and raising people from the dead, and I'll take care of this basketball thing.'” Now, back to the game, the last game in which we will ever see that same Kobe, the bulletproof assassin. With 10:30 remaining, the Lakers down by one, Kobe drives, leaps, is sandwiched, and falls clutching his left knee. He gets up, now with a noticeable limp. He remains in the game and sinks his two free throws. As much as trainers and coaches wanted badly to get him out, he still would not back down. Now with 3 minutes left, Lakers down two, Bryant drives, takes a jab step, a move performed a million times, and collapses. He goes down clutching his leg and foot. He literally felt his Achilles roll up in his leg. Coach equated it to a soldier that fought his all, killed many enemies, but ultimately dies, shield and sword in hand. Now Bryant had to accept the fact that he was indeed mortal. He didn't like that. Bryant frantically attempts to pull it back down with his fingers. Kobe Bryant had given all he had, clearly in pain, but even with all that, he still walks over, stays in the game and takes two free throws, two important, clutch free throws, sinking them both. If that isn't heart I don't know what is. Kobe then limped to the locker room under his own power. Vitti performed a quick test to see if he had ruptured his Achilles. “If Kobe's foot doesn't flex toward the floor, his Achilles is gone.” The test was positive. Once Vitti breaks the news, Kobe hurls two full Gatorade bottles at the wall, one bursts. Tears well up in his eyes. That was the first time anyone had seen doubt in his eyes. The Lakers won by 2, thanks to those two free throws. However, this is a somber day. Fans, players and coaches all wonder if this is his last game. One teammate says, “Something should have been done to prevent this.” Still, Kobe Bryant fought back, and played three more seasons, although he was never the player he once was. He grew into more of a happy, take-it-all-in Kobe, no longer the killer Mamba.
There were only a few other times I saw that fire. In honor of his retirement, I will tell of one of the best. It was a few nights ago, in his final career game. The Lakers were not getting it done. He tried to get teammates to score, and they were stinking both offensively and on defense. In typical Kobe fashion, the Mamba takes the game into his own hands. He did not want to go out on a loss. He brought them back from a nine point deficit with three minutes, with 5-5 shooting and 4-4 free throws, to an amazing come from behind victory. He had scored 60 points in a vintage Mamba performance. As seen in these examples, the Mamba has proven that he has a heart like no other. Some see him as selfish, as evil, as a villain. However, I think that this makes him a hero, not only for the game of basketball, but also for many kids and adults around the globe. The qualities and accomplishments previously mentioned prove just why Kobe is a hero. Not only is he a hero for the Lakers, for fans, and for the NBA, but also outside. He has inspired many children and adults to rise up and be like him. As said before, this is an example of where passion, hard work, and dedication can get you. Many, myself included, now carry that mentality with us everywhere, all because of him. Kobe Bryant also has a foundation that was started with his wife, similar to what Magic Johnson has done. With the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, reaches out to help the lives and youth and their families. He tried to encourage kids to stay active in sports, and allows them to participate in sports camps he has. He also provides the financial resources for families in need, so communities can be strengthened through educational opportunities and through staying active in sports.
The Black Mamba, throughout his storied career, has built a legacy both on and off the court many could only dream off. His love for the game is unmatched. Although many see him as a basketball player, he is much more, and although some feel his qualities make him a villain, I feel he is a hero because of it. From the Black Mamba himself, “We all could be a hero or a villain, it's all a matter of perspective.” He has inspired many to career his mentality, although used on a basketball court, in everything they do, so they can be like him. Kobe has also said, “I inspire myself by inspiring others.” Therefore, Kobe Bryant is the perfect example of a hero.