A Life Defined by One Word
January 27, 2020
Only a select few can be identified by one word.
Kobe.
Nothing else was needed. One word meant so much to a generation of young athletes, and sports fans around the world.
For two plus decades he mesmerized fans on the hardwood, bridging the gap between MJ and Lebron, two of the other few of the one-name brethren.
As he began his career at age 17, one word comes to mind.
Courage.
- Let that sink in. At an age where most of us are cowering in our seats hoping not to be called on to answer a question in English class or come up to the board to execute a math problem, this dude was entering the premier basketball league in the world.
He came into a league to clash with established legends like Jordan, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone.
He came to the league not long after the Dream team had opened up the game to the world, and he led the globalization of basketball into the next century.
He came to resurrect the league’s most prestigious franchise, forced to carry the mantle and play in the shadows of Kareem, and Magic.
Yet by the year 2000, a new word would define him.
Champion.
He took the torch and blazed a new trail of Laker dominance throughout the 2000s. Two decades and five championships later, his face was chiseled along with those past Laker greats of the Lakers’ Mount Rushmore.
And while he became a legend on the West Coast and his name became synonymous with greatness around the world, he always had another word that was a part of him.
Philly.
It was the legacy he left as a prep standout at Lower Merion High School. It was the out-of-this-world acrobatic shots he hit in the 2001 finals that ripped out the hearts of his hometown fans. It was the video of him and his daughter celebrating as the Eagles won the Super Bowl. And finally, on Kobe’s final night on this earth, it was Lebron honoring Kobe as he surpassed him for third place on the league’s all-time scoring list….in Philly!
Sadly, the cynicism and skepticism in me led for years to focus on his faults, on his one major mistake. Yes, this seemingly invincible icon faced a reality we must all encounter. One word to describe all of us as well as him:
Flawed.
Yes, like all of us, Kobe was flawed. He made a mistake. Unlike most of us, Kobe had to face his mistake in front of the world. Since his 2003 sexual assault charge was dismissed, Kobe has publicly apologized and used his platform on and off the court to inspire a generation of basketball players, and sports fans around the world. As a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan, I especially loved Joel Embiid’s comments that he had started playing basketball after watching Kobe’s performance in the 2010 NBA finals, a moment he described as the “turning point” in his life.
Needless to say, there are countless other lives who were impacted by Kobe’s relentless pursuit of perfection, a pursuit that came to be known as the Mamba mentality. It is a pursuit that was now being poured into other passions, including film-making and mentoring young basketball players, especially his daughter Gianna, who also tragically died in the helicopter accident. Even as the courtside cheers had faded away, Kobe clearly had visions of greatness, visions that were taken away far too soon.
In his famous poem, “To an Athlete Dying Young,” A.E. Housman writes:
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
Today, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Indeed, Kobe crossed the threshold, transcending the world of basketball, and becoming a global icon.
Still, as I read and listen to the tributes being paid to Kobe, as Kobe indeed is brought home to rest, the reality is that Kobe’s greatest gift was not played out on video cameras for the world to see. I can’t help but both smile and cry at the fact that Kobe had obviously embraced the most important one-word title any man can have during his time on earth:
Dad.
Alexis Ream • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Courage is a very good way to describe Kobe especially because of what he did through out his life. He was a person known and loves by many. It is amazing, the thought of a 7 year old developing in his mind that he wanted to play basketball for the rest of his life. At the age 17, he began his career while most people were still sitting in a classroom and he was off entering the premier of basketball which you said. It is amazing to think of such a young person developing such a strong feeling for a sport.
Spirit Knauer • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:54 pm
I was unaware of the things Kobe was doing other than basketball. That he had started his career at such a young age and had made such an impact on people around the world. The Mamba Mentality seemed to be a really important movement. He showed his daughter basketball and introduced her to that world and the Mamba Mentality and for them to have shared that is really special.
Ethan Wile • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:53 pm
As someone who doesn’t watch basketball but knew who Kobe was, I can only imagine what lakers fan are going through. I tried to put myself in their shoes and try to relate by putting in to a sport I could relate with more. As not only a football fan but a Philadelphia eagles fan I could only imagine losing someone so important to your favorite franchise, I don’t know what I’d do if someone like Nick Foles passed away tragically. For someone to be that influential and so important to people who likely never thought of life without Kobe this must be hard.
Joey • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:53 pm
The word “courage” really stood out to me, because when he started basketball at age 17, he was doing something that most people cannot do, which is stepping up and taking control of his future. That motivation and drive is what made him a great basketball player, and a great person, and is why America mourned as one last night, on the 26th of January.
Sofia • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:53 pm
I enjoyed knowing that Kobe has inspired others through other things than just basketball.
pocket go • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:53 pm
Courage is a very good way to describe Kobe especially because of what he did through out his life. He was a person known and loves by many. It is amazing, the thought of a 7 year old developing in his mind that he wanted to play basketball for the rest of his life. At the age 17, he began his career while most people were still sitting in a classroom and he was off entering the premier of basketball which you said. It is amazing to think of such a young person developing such a strong feeling for a sport.
Janelle Gonzalez • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:51 pm
One part of this article that had me thinking was the word “flawed”. Even though Kobe was known for all the amazing achievements he’s done throughout his career, he wasn’t a perfect human being and that’s okay. He made a mistake in his past and he owned up to his faults and used his platform to apologize to the victim, his fans, and the world. I feel that was so powerful that someone as popular as Kobe, that he knew he wasn’t perfect and he owned that.
Kiersten • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:51 pm
I think that hearing about Kobe Bryant’s death made me realize that no one is invincible and that death will eventually come to all of us no matter who we are. I also didn’t realize that in 2003 he was charged with sexual assault. Even though we might have a great talent it does not mean that we won’t make mistakes.
Emily Musser • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:51 pm
I don’t particularly like how you just described his sexual assault case as a “mistake”. Yes, I agree we all make mistakes but it feels like you brushed over this and tried to make readers feel bad it was in the public eye. Sexual assault is not a small “mistake”.
Ethan • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Being a legend in 2 cities is certainly a achievement few can reach. But an icon like Kobe is truly a world wide hero to lots of people. Even through all scandals and dark moments in his life he truly managed to compete through it all and is the definition of a competitor. Kobes Legacy as a competitor, a Hero, a Icon, a father and most importantly a a person will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant
Kylee young • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:50 pm
One thing I found interesting was how you said Kobe was flawed, and you wrote about his sexual assault charge and the mistakes he’s made. It really took a turn. I expected the whole writing to be all positive and saying how great he was. But I’m in a way impressed and surprised that you said that whole thing. It shows that no one is ideally perfect and that everyone makes mistakes and has flaws that show.
Owen • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:49 pm
It was amazing to see the outpouring of love for Kobe from the sports world and beyond, as almost everyone was in some way impacted by Kobe. It hurts that he isn’t here to receive the praise from everyone. Yes, he was appreciated when he retired, and everyone reflected on his career, but that was from the view of a player. This is everyone saying what a great person he was, and I wish he could have witnessed it.
Abby Gingrich • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:47 pm
I liked the way the poem was incorporated and tied into the overall message of the story.
Brody tarson • Jan 27, 2020 at 2:47 pm
I enjoyed how you went through Kobe’s life and broke it down into little phases that were also categorized by one word that explains the time period. I think it was a good way of telling his story and flowed well.