Black Mamba: The Last Stand

Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant will go down as one of the greatest ballers of all time.

Source: http://www.trbimg.com/img-5450096b/turbine/la-sp-ln-lakers-byron-scott-kobe-bryant-20141028

    Somoene once told me a quotation from the movie The Amazing Spiderman 2 (Lead Stars: Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone) that for some reason has really stayed in my head until now. The quote, mentioned by Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) in her graduation speech, went this way, "What makes life special is that it doesn't last forever. What makes it precious is that it ends." 

   In all honesty, it was a tough quote to digest. It talked about the inevitability of how things eventually come to an end, no matter what. Even the best things and moments in life come to an end. Of course, it is not an easy thing to accept but in reality, it is the actual truth. I guess, I have come to realize that the faster we accept things, the faster we also get to move on and actually, appreciate the moment/s more while we still can. The moment/s may end but the memories will surely last forever. 

    Kobe Bryant's playing career is nearing its end but his legacy and his greatness will remain forever. No one will ever forget the Mamba's dominance, swagger, innate love for the game, will to win and most importantly, competitive drive that separated him from the rest. Let us savor this upcoming season because The Black Mamba is about to make his last stand. If there is one thing that I am pretty sure of is that there will never, ever be another Kobe Bryant.

   For the longest time, Kobe Bryant has been inevitably compared to the player that he literally and figuratively patterned his game to, none other than the G.O.A.T himself, His Airness Michael Jordan. In return, Kobe's greatness had been overshadowed by the school of thought that he was more of an impersonator of Jordan than a unique, transcending player. I'm sorry to say this, but I personally think that whoever thought of this was just purely out of his mind, or a hater, or probably, someone who just didn't really know the game. 

    Great players themselves admit that they copy moves from other great players. Kevin Durant doing the Dirk fadeaway. Even LeBron has shown his version of that that move during the Finals. In addition, we now see a platoon of great guards in the NBA with sick handles like no other, yet all of them idolized A.I. (Allen Iverson) and White Chocolate (Jason Williams) and probably even Rafer Alston. We also see how young Jahlil Okafor moves and plays a lot like Timmy D. Another young player, Myles Turner, reminds us so much of a young LaMarcus Aldridge. Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell reminds us so much of a younger Steph Curry. Andrew Wiggins plays like a young Kobe Bryant. Take note that even the Best Player in the Planet today (LeBron James) plays a lot like Magic Johnson (Just way more athletic). So, without a doubt, Kobe Bryant's greatness should not be questioned just because he plays a lot like MJ. Kobe deserves to be recognized as truly one of the best ballers to ever play the game of basketball. 

   The numbers do not lie. Look at all the numbers that Kobe has piled up throughout the years. (Go to this link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Kobe_Bryant.) He did all of these things while playing through various types of injuries throughout his career. Of course, for the past three seasons in which Kobe had season- ending injuries (Torn achilles tendon, Torn meniscus and Injured rotator cuff) just shows that Kobe is indeed human and his body has started failing him already. I guess, Father Time has remained undefeated still.

   Kobe like MJ will be playing out his final year (unless, of course Kobe decides to prolong his career a little bit more) on a team that will most likely miss the playoffs. The Western Conference is so loaded that the Lakers look lottery- bound once again. Signing Lou Williams, acquiring Roy Hibbert and drafting D'Angelo Russell just do not seem enough to propel Kobe's beloved Lakers to the post-season unless Kobe, all of a sudden, plays like the Kobe of 2008. But come on, I think everyone knows that it is not something to bet your life on. Given these circumstances, what I want Kobe to actually have this season is the opportunity to end everything according to how he wants it to, and that is by getting a chance to play his heart out and to showcase his competitive drive, game in and game out that only the Black Mamba can do. Honestly, I don't care if the Lakers win or lose this season. What I am very sure of though is that I will really savor every moment that Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant will give us in this so-called Last Stand of his.

    In life, even great things come to an end and they do not last forever. Yet, it is in this very essence of life that makes it truly special and precious. Why, you may ask? Because in knowing that something will eventually end makes us appreciate it even more. Kobe's career may be coming to an end but his greatness and legacy will remain engraved in our hearts, minds and memories forever.