NBA Hall of Fame Calls Kobe

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

 

It was inevitable. Only a matter of time. Unfortunately, not the way Kobe Bryant, his organization, fans and players wanted to see him inducted into the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame. On Sunday January 26th on his way to coach his daughter’s Gianna’s basketball tournament, Kobe’s helicopter crashed killing all 9 aboard. 

 

 

 

His path to the Hall of Fame was set the minute he played his last game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, the only team he ever player for. Bryant wore numbers 8 and 24 with both numbers retired hanging in the rafters at the Staples Center never to be worn by anyone else. 

 

On April 14th 2016, Bryant would play his last game at the Staples Center when they hosted the Utah Jazz. Head coach Byron Scott had one message to the the team: “Get KB the ball”! They did just that. By night’s end in the 101-96 come from behind win, Kobe scorched Utah scoring 60 points. He needed 50 shots to get there but added his 6th 60 point game of his career. Ten years earlier, Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. The second most points Behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points against the New York Knicks.    

 

Kobe Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets and was immediately traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac becoming the youngest player in NBA history. He had an immediate impact on the league. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year and at the end of his his career put up numbers that compare to some of the greatest of all time. 18 time All Star, 12 time all defensive player, 2 time scoring champ, 4 time All Star MVP and 5 time NBA Champion. His goal was to at least tie his mentor and idol Michael Jordan for 6 rings. It did not happen although Kobe passed Jordan for more career points.

 

Kobe Bryant was not the most cordial player with the media during his playing days. Arrogant and cocky was some of the words used to describe him by writers who covered him on a regular basis. Bryant had to deal with rape allegations at one point during his career although he was never charged. It was a turning point not only for his personal life but for his professional life as well.  

 

Life after basketball for Kobe was a new challenge something he embraced the way he attacked opponents on the court. He was a “hands on” dad to his three girls. He became a author of children’s books starting Granity Studios in 2016. In 2018, Bryant and company won an Oscar for his best animated short film “Dear Basketball.” 

 

Kobe Bryant second act after basketball was just beginning. There was a new found acceptance in dealing with the media and the general public. He sought out advise from professionals in the entertainment industry. Kobe’s wife Vanessa recently announced the release of book two of the “Wizenard” series “Training Camp” the sequel to “Season One.”

 

Kobe was torn when asked who he would like to introduce him the day of his induction. Michael Jordan? Phil Jackson? We will find out this August 23rd when the full 2020 class will be inducted. It will be a bittersweet day as Bryant will be represented by his wife and family remembering a man, world class athlete and father taking from this world at a time when his second act was just beginning.