At this point, we all know the story.
It’s not breaking news … it’s heartbreaking news.
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
It’s one of those moments where you will always remember where you were when you heard the gut wrenching news.
Like Michael Jackson. Like Walter Payton. Like John F. Kennedy.
Nothing can prepare you for something like that kind of news, except maybe your faith. Sometimes, not even that.
Luckily, I was pulling into the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, planning to do a little relaxing and shopping before the Washington Wizards – Atlanta Hawks game tonight. I tried to fight back the tears as my stomach tightened.
TMZ broke the news, so I thought it might be another one of those Abe Vigoda internet hoaxes again, though this wasn’t even close to being funny.
Once confirmed, I realized that this is an individual I am never going to be able to talk to again. It was real. All too real. And his daughter Gianna was with him, too. Also gone. They were headed to a basketball game, not surprisingly.
I thought to myself, “Damn it Kobe, why didn’t you go to Philadelphia and watch as LeBron James surpassed you in NBA all time scoring? Then you wouldn’t have been on that helicopter.”
A dedicated dad, yes, he probably still would have to get Gianna to that game.
So how do I deal with this, with my 14 year old son sitting beside me, both of us also heading to a basketball game?
First of all, through faith and everything I have been taught throughout my life, everything I have taught my children, and I suspect, that Kobe Bryant believed and taught his family, as well.
This life is a test, and when we’ve learned what we’re supposed to have learned, we are called home by our Heavenly Father. Believe what you will, but if you affirm that concept, the Lord certainly has one of the best human beings, forget basketball players, on His roster.
Bryant’s second career was just getting started, and it was taking off with dramatically successful results. I so enjoyed watching his series, Detail.
Through the lens of Kobe’s eye and mindset, you saw not only what made him such a spectacular competitor, but how people could learn from one of the greatest legends to ever don a pair of Nikes and the purple and gold, as if he were sitting in your office, living room, or locker room.
The other way I began to start processing what I prayed to God wasn’t real was remembering my interactions with Kobe Bryant.
My first was in a game he wouldn’t play in, back in 2004 when the Los Angeles Lakers were visiting the Orlando Magic. That was the year he had put his hand through the glass of his garage door and lacerated his pinky. I tried to interrupt his conversation with his backup guard Tyronn Lue, Lue gave me time, but I asked Kobe if I could grab a few minutes.
He couldn’t oblige, but asked me if I was coming to All Star in L.A.
Another poignant exchange between Bryan and me was in 2006, right after the Phoenix Suns had eliminated the Lakers and I was sitting beside Jimmy Goldstein front and center at the dais. I asked Kobe, “what next?” … and watch his eyes begin to water.
“I don’t know, man … (shakes his head, bites his lip) … I don’t know.”
Not relative to that last question, but that was ironically the summer he went to Mitch Kupchak and told him, “get me some help or trade me.” Their relationship was tested that summer, but Kupchak never blinked on the notion of trading Kobe Bryant.
Two years later, the Lakers were back in the thick of things in the Western Conference as thy returned to the NBA Finals three times, winning in 2009 and 2010.
There are a million Kobe Bryant stories out there, many more poignant and exciting than mine.
Perhaps Kobe Bryant passed his test on this earth with flying colors, and the Lord took a look at today’s society, needing Bryant to go over a few Detail episodes with Him before He takes off the holy robes and checks in for His second half.
But as I walked through the Lenox Square Mall and watched as silent, stunned people stared intently at their phones, solemnly sharing the news in disbelief, then saw the same solemnity and quiet stoppage of life as we know it in Atlanta’s streets, Centennial Park, and State Farm Arena before the game, I realized what an impact this 41 year old man had on life, not just basketball.
And now, as I sit here on the media dais in State Farm Arena, and write this tribute, I myself am as stunned and stumped as Kobe Bryant was in 2006.
Now, it is I – tears welling in my eyes – asking the same question:
What next? I don’t know, man … I don’t know.
Like Bryant, we will put our shoulder to the wheel and work through this, all the while not believing it has happened.
Thank you, Kobe, for teaching this old man life lessons.
For sharing your wisdom, your talent, and your ups and downs. Showing us how you faced adversity head on and exuded class.
May you and your wonderful daughter rest in peace.
#Mamba4Life and all you taught us will live on …
