Whenever a player retires, or a person passes away, the lure to romanticize their careers and/or lives is strong. I am, however, not a fan of Kobe Bryant, so the lure is not as strong. Yet I caution myself as I write this piece as I want to get this right. Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA’s greatest players, will be remembered for a great deal of things; he made sure of that. The question is, “What will he be most remembered for?”
How about his five NBA Championships? Perhaps two Olympic gold medals will top your list. There’s that unsavory incident of a sexual crime allegation in Denver, where he ended up not guilty of a crime, but himself confessing to adultery. There was also a civil case that followed which was settled quietly. Maybe his Most Valuable Player Award and multiple inclusions in the All NBA lists? There was his much publicized rift with Shaquille O”Neal which led to Shaq heading to the Heat. How about Kobe torching the Raptors for 81 points in a single game? Everyone probably still remembers his expletive-filled rant at his teammates and team officials during a public practice session just last year. I’m sure many would remember his renaissance man qualities, able to conduct press conferences (including his latest one) in English, Spanish and Italian.
If one remembers Kobe for any one of these, or even all of these, they would not be wrong. They would be incomplete though.
