Farewell

This is not a very good photo but it is a very special photo. I am the photographer. Staples Center has a capacity of 19,067  but in this photo, it is just 10 or so people. One of them was Kobe Bryant. I got to work early one day and got to watch Kobe shoot. To me, it was absolutely remarkable. I felt like I was seeing something that few people ever got to saw. It was greatness.

I wanted to try to write about what Kobe meant to me. His death has affected me in a way I didn't expect. Unfortunately, I have become acquainted with grief. I have been very sad when people I love have died but those were family members. Kobe Bryant didn't know me but I knew him (the tiniest bit). I worked as an intern for the Lakers in the 2011-2012 season. It was amazing. The most amazing internship you could imagine, especially for someone who loves the Lakers the way I do.

 I remember the moment I met him for the first time, Irene and I were pushing some cart full of donated equipment. I was pulling and she was pushing the cart. As we navigated a doorway out to the parking lot Kobe appeared behind Irene. I tried to play it cool but inside I was so excited, we are only two years apart but Kobe seemed so beyond me in every conceivable way. The first time I met Kobe Bryant, I was wearing Kobe brand Nikes. 

The question I got asked most often about my internship was, "What's Kobe like?" I would answer, "Kobe is intense." Not an angry intensity but an extreme focus. The thing I noticed was that he was constantly being asked for things. Kobe can you do this? Kobe can you be here? He did a make a wish after every game and he never talked about it. I watched every Laker game that season and whenever we were behind I would joke with my boss Jason, just give it to Kobe. I auctioned off an autographed Kobe jersey for $8000. I worked at the Lakers Charity Golf Tournament and all the players needed to show up. Kobe was there and one of the items they auctioned off was a racehorse. If I remember correctly, Kobe and Pau bought a racehorse.

A few years ago I played on a co-ed softball team, I took it seriously possibly too seriously. I got a phone call from the manager telling me that people on the team were complaining about me and that we were there to have fun, winning didn't matter. I think this is the reason I loved Kobe, to him winning was the only thing that mattered. When Ramon Sessions joined the team that season the first thing Kobe said to him was, "We win championships here." I love winning and I hate losing, I am a sore loser. Kobe loved winning and he hated losing.

He had his demons and he was no saint. I know that. I may be getting soft in my old age and being a dad but this tragedy has left me heartbroken. Life is precious, life is fragile, and this part of our existence is temporary. I feel so bad about this tragedy. That these families are going such terrible terrible pain.

 I couldn't put my finger on why this was impacting me so much and then I watched this clip from my man Jim Rome and he hit the nail on the head.

Kobe Bean Bryant joins the immortals. I'll tell my kids about how their dad got to see one of the greatest up close.

The Mamba is dead. Long live the Mamba.