To: Black Mamba

Dear Kobe,

 It’s so hard to find the words right now. It was hard to move and even breathe when I first heard the news. My world literally stopped for a moment or two, just trying to grasp everything that has taken place. I’m not even sure where to start, I’ve never wanted the news to be more wrong. I wanted it all to be a lie, for someone to finally come out and say that this was a hoax. In fact, I’m still waiting for you to send us a message somehow and let us know you’re alright and so is Gigi.

 You were already going down in history as one of the greatest, there’s no debate about that. But I truly feel in my heart that you were just getting started with life, with your calling. To be honest, I became more of a fan of yours once your playing days were over. 

Michael Jordan was the one I grew up loving mostly. I grew up overseas, much like yourself, and MJ was the person I idolized from an early age. He was the person I wanted to mimic and play like. When you came along you did such a great job of taking some of his best moves and moments, along with several other great players, and really morphing things into something greater during your era. Something no one could truly fathom. Everything that was seen as great from 1 basketball player to another, you had them ALL! You took the game to new heights and everyone knew it. You became our favorite player’s favorite player.

Your drive, having the Mamba Mentality is something that never went unnoticed. If there’s one thing I took from you, it was this relentless pursuit of the game we both love. To see you get after it, day in and day out, as the years went on but your game never waver. This is something I hold near and dear to me now more than ever. As I am still playing this game at a high level, at an age when many of my counterparts have retired but I still cannot see the finish line, and refuse to allow anyone to decide that timeline but myself, I get that spirit from you!

  I used to think I was crazy for being pissed at people around me for being or accepting mediocrity. It’s funny to even put it in words right now but I know you understand so it’s ok. For the times where I feel like I can’t relate to people around me who may give up on their dreams, maybe they just don’t go hard enough, or they rather give an excuse instead of just pushing through, I think of you and your approach in those moments, and I can at least laugh knowing that I’m not the only one to feel a certain way about them. You let me know that it was ok and acceptable to have a crazy work ethic and a competitive drive that a lot of other people just don’t understand. This can be a lonely place at times, but if the end result is something you can be proud of and satisfied with, because you know that you gave it everything you absolutely had, then everything will be just fine because at the end of the day you have to be able to live with yourself.

"I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses." - Kobe Bryant

Outside of the competitive drive, I saw the passion you had for teaching the game to those coming up behind you. You’ve taught me how to set an example of seeing things through and doing your absolute best, even when you feel like you have nothing else left to give, but to still find that little bit extra and to keep going. 

 To be honest, my love for you grew after you stopped bouncing the ball. Sure, I can recall many great and legendary moments you had on the court, winning championships, setting records, scoring 81 points, and capping off your career by getting this comeback win while also scoring 60 in your final game. And although you certainly had my respect for the things you did on the court, it wasn’t until you were done that I truly valued you as the person you seemed to be. 

You became more of a human being instead of a machine. We got to see you smile and crack jokes. We saw you share hugs with friends that were once seen as enemies.  You were one half of the great debate, Lebron vs Kobe. We thought that it would never end, let alone have an outright “winner” in this day and age, and now it seems all too trivial. 

Less than 24hrs before, you were congratulating Bron on passing you in the all-time scoring list, and giving him your blessing to continue to push the game to new heights just as you did. That was a beautiful moment we were all still processing, and then we got the news. 

To say I am heartbroken is an understatement. I was looking forward to the possibility of meeting you when I came to Cali and hit Mamba Academy. I was looking forward to seeing what you would do next and what gems you would drop on the world. I was looking forward to seeing you at more and more women’s basketball games alongside your daughter and being that doting father we have all come to love. I was looking forward to seeing you on the sidelines of Gigi’s games being a proud cheerleader. You see, although I was a fan, I admired mostly the things you have been doing after basketball. Watching you excel in other areas, from author and entrepreneur, to speaker and just really being a parent in front of our eyes.

Seeing your life unfold after your playing days is what I loved, not really seeing you slow down but gain speed from the joy of being around your family more, and being able to share untold stories. Since before your career started the world has been able to see you grow in front of our eyes. We saw the good, the great, the bad, and even a little of the ugly. But that’s what made you great for me, a human being with an incredible legacy and we were bearing witness to the one that would certainly be wearing your crown next, and in the form of a female, which I absolutely LOVED. 

There are moments in life that bring communities, nations, and the world together for something greater, the moment we lost you and your daughter was definitely one of those times. My heart goes out to your family and those that knew you closest, and to the other passengers lost on January 26, 2020. If there is anything to take away from all of this, is to not take anything for granted. To go even harder for the things and for the people we love. And to know that when it is all said and done, let your impact on people be greater than the work itself. 

Rest in peace to Kobe and Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah and Payton Chester, and Ara Zobayan. Prayers to your family and all of our us mourning your absence here on Earth.

No matter what you do in life, show up, push yourself, become what God intended for you to be and to be something even greater than your wildest dreams! Live life with a Mamba Mentality!