Jude Magnotti ‘26
EE Sports Columnist
Four years ago on January 26th 2020, the sports world lost one of its most beloved figures. Kobe Bryant had tragically passed away with his daughter in a helicopter crash leaving the entire world stunned. A man, who was worshiped and praised not just for his play on the court, but his actions off it was gone. It did not seem real. Sports fans and players around them buried their heads in their pillows, trying to process the horrific reality of what happened.
Now, four years later, Kobe Bryant’s influence and impact on not just the sports world, but the global community as well still looms large. This impact was on full display when Joel Embiid and Karl Anthony-Towns both dropped career highs on the anniversary of Kobe’s 81 point game. Just a few days later, Luka and Devin Booker dropped 73 and 62 respectively on the anniversary of Kobe’s death –fitting tributes to Kobe who is known as one of the most elite scorers in NBA history. Now, four years after his passing, fans can’t help but wonder how did a scrawny kid practicing his jump-shot on a broken hoop in Italy, rise to become an NBA legend?
Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philadelphia to Joe and Pam Bryant. Before Kobe became who he was, it was actually his father balling out in the NBA for the 76ers. After 8 years in the NBA, Kobe’s family moved to Italy so Joe could play basketball abroad. In a foreign and unfamiliar environment, the basketball court became a safe haven for Kobe, a place where he could focus on himself without the pressure of the outside world. These countless hours in the gym helped shape his work ethic from a very early age.
Kobe’s family would eventually move back to Philly and as an upperclassmen at Lower Merion High School, Kobe played all five positions and averaged 31-11-6-4 while leading his team to a state championship. Despite Kobe’s ludicrous numbers, NBA teams were still hesitant to draft him given that he was just the sixth player going straight to the NBA from high school.
However, Lakers GM, Jerry West, saw the star potential in Kobe and finished the Hornets out of him for Vlade Divac. Even as a brash youngster, Kobe was no ordinary rookie. He worked harder than guys who had been on the team for years and demanded the respect that came with it.
However, Kobe notoriously performed poorly in his first ever playoff series shooting four airballs in an overtime game against Utah. These struggles were quickly forgotten as Kobe averaged 15 PPG in his second season becoming the youngest all-star starter in NBA history (despite not starting on his own team). He even went up in a duel against Black Jesus himself Michael Jordan and managed to impress and gain the respect of players and fans alike.
In his first season as a permanent starter in 1999, Kobe averaged 20 PPG before being swept by the Spurs. However, after the Lakers appointed Phil Jackson as their head coach, there would be no more losing in L.A. The dynamic duo of Shaq and Kobe won 67 games and after a clutch alley-oop to Shaq in the playoffs, Kobe won his first ever NBA title.
The next two seasons Kobe would average 28.5 and 25 PPG en route to two more Lakers titles becoming the first team to three-peat since Jordan’s Bulls. However, after an expansive beef with Shaq and an embarrassing finals loss against the Pistons in 2004, Kobe was abandoned by his fellow superstar who would take his talents to south beach.
Left completely alone on a dismantled Lakers team, Kobe decided to take matters into his own hands. Kobe transformed into a complete maniac, waking up at 3AM every day and spending almost 12 hours in the gym per day. This hard work paid off as Kobe dropped an absurd 81 points against the Raptors and had the best statistical season of his career averaging 35 and 31 points per game in 2005 and 2006.
Nevertheless, Kobe could not do it all himself and the Lakers missed the playoffs both of those years. Despite Kobe’s never-ending feats of greatness and clutchness, he still had not learned to be a true team player and develop the chemistry with his teammates that it takes to win. Fortunately for Kobe, L.A. traded for Pau Gasol in 2008 and the Lakers were right back in the title mix again as Kobe won the regular season MVP.
Unfortunately for Kobe, he would fall victim to the Celtics big three in the finals and was defeated in 6 games. Still, if there is one thing that stayed constant about his Kobe his entire life, it was his ability to fight through adversity. Kobe came back the next year with a vengeance, winning the 2008 gold as well as the 2009 NBA finals earning his first ever finals MVP award. In 2010, Kobe powered through injuries and got their revenge on the Celtics in 7 games with Kobe winning another finals MVP. Unfortunately, Kobe’s career would only go downhill from there. Kobe tore his ACL in 2013 and was never the same from that point on. He would average career lows in points and the Lakers would miss the playoffs his final season. Despite this, Kobe still managed to drop 60 points in his final ever game before sailing off into the sunset in a blaze of glory.
Now, it is important to remember that as great as Kobe was, he was in no way perfect. He was extremely immature in his youth and his lack of chemistry with his teammates is often criticized by the media. Additionally, Kobe was only the best player on two of his championship runs and many people hold this fact against him in all time debates. Despite his flaws. Kobe Bryant’s impact without a doubt transcended just basketball. His work ethic, determination, and “Mamba Mentality” inspired millions around the world to realize and finally achieve their dreams. Whether it was playing in the NBA, getting the job they wanted, or genuinely enjoying life, Kobe will forever live in our hearts and minds as not just one of the greatest basketball players ever, but one of the greatest people ever. Long live the Black Mamba.