RIP Kobe Bryant

I’m sure many. I have not. I just know he won an Oscar for it.

 

This is a tough one. I read something earlier about what it might have been like for Bryant, in his last moments, knowing one of his children was going to die and he was helpless to stop it. As a dad, I can empathize with the sheer terror that must have brought on. Knowing I was going to die would pale next to knowing my child was, even by my side, if I was powerless in the situation.

The outpouring today, though, has been over the top. Despite years covering sports and athletes, I’ll never understand the hagiographic reaction to stuff like this. When I found out Neil Peart died a couple weeks ago, I didn’t get all weepy. I was mostly sad for his little girl, kind of like I’m sad for Kobe’s girls now.

And I’m sad for his wife. Again. She’s now a widow, rather than just the wife of a rapist. And he was one. He admitted as much when in his statement he said, “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.” If she did not view it as consensual, it wasn’t consensual.

There’s a lot to be sad about here. Kids left fatherless is sad. A woman widowed is sad. The end of a guy who, were he in any other income stratum, might still be facing parole hearings, to me is something less.

 

Kobe: Worthy of 1A

 

Just try reading that first paragraph without getting out of breath. That is one of the most unnecessarily long leads I've ever seen.

 

Thanks.

 

Life would be incomplete for many lonely souls here without tales of the Barcalounger.

 

My first reaction to the teams in the first game of the day taking 24-second violations to honor Kobe was pretty roll-eye. I only read about the first one.

As every game had teams do the same, watching all the video, it was clear how heartfelt the emotions were from the players, coaches and fans. Made me make a 180 on the gesture.

Bryant’s legacy is complicated, to say the least. Like others, the rape allegation definitely changed my view of him.

But there’s no question how big an influence he had on a couple of generation of players, coaches and fans.

 

Stay strong, MileHigh. For yourself.

 

I hate to play the what-if game, but Kobe was asked last week if he’d be with the Lakers on their East Coast trip as LeBron passed him on the all-time scoring list. He sort of scoffed at the idea, and even after it became clear that LeBron would pass him in Kobe’s hometown Saturday night he opted not to take the trip that would’ve altered this morning’s reality.

 

I don’t see a Grammys thread so I’ll just say here: I do not understand the Billie Eillish (sp?) love? Her music is not good. Not remotely