{"id":10663,"date":"2020-01-26T18:49:43","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T00:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/?p=10663"},"modified":"2020-01-27T10:40:17","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27T16:40:17","slug":"goodbye-kobe-i-love-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/i80sportsblog.com\/goodbye-kobe-i-love-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye Kobe, I Love You"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It was the spring of 2001 and my mother was desperately awaiting a new liver.<\/h2>\n

After a few false starts, being called into the ER and sitting next to grieving family’s and hoping that their grief would translate into hope for my mom, thankfully a donor was found, and surgery was set to take place.<\/p>\n

My mother’s subsequent surgery and long recovery coincided with the NBA playoffs. As a lifelong Laker fan, I was anticipating another long playoff run for the defending champions; little did I know however that they would help me get through one of the most crucial moments of my life.<\/p>\n

After a 15-hour surgery and proceeding recovery, it is needless to say that I spent a ton of time at the hospital. These were grueling visits and the anguish that I was going was overbearing to say the least.<\/p>\n

Every night I would get home from the hospital and watch my Lakers in hopes of getting away from the reality of my situation, if for only just a moment. Well LA provided more that that.<\/h2>\n

An 11-1 run that culminated in a championship not only got me to a safe place for a few hours every other night, they were absolutely thrashing hated rivals in the process.<\/p>\n

Smashing the Blazers, Kings and Spurs was such sweet relief for the long stays in ICU and I will forever be indebted to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for getting me through; it was like the basketball gods were helping protect me from the savagery of the real world.<\/p>\n

Kobe averaged 28 n’ some change on that championship run, hitting BIG shots, making huge passes and playing stifling D. I wore his #8 jersey every game.<\/p>\n

It was such a cohesive parallel reality, my mother healing after the fight of her life as the Lakers helped heal by dominating at a historic rate. I will forever be indebted to them for that.<\/p>\n

Early this morning, I was stunned beyond belief to hear that Kobe Bryant had passed away. A helicopter crash, his daughter Gigi was aboard. Multiple casualties. My heart sank and the tears began to flow.<\/h2>\n

The emotions as a fan and as an expecting father were overwhelming. I instantly thought of his wife Vanessa and the other children, I cant imagine their pain, anything I am feeling pales in comparison.<\/p>\n

There are so many moments that come to mind when remembering Bryant, the greatest Laker in a long line of franchise legends.<\/p>\n

So many clutch shots, the guts, the bravado, the scowl. A relentless will to be the best, the last of the Samurai, so to speak.<\/p>\n

In the end, I think Kobe taught me to NEVER stop, NEVER give in and always go down fighting no matter the odds.<\/p>\n

Sports are about a lot more than the final score, they give us the power to inspire, the power to unite, the power to heal.<\/p>\n

Thank you Kobe, thank you for the greatness, it gave me sanctuary when I needed it most.<\/p>\n

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