Man, where do you even start with something like this? I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Just scrolling through my phone, like any other Sunday morning, you know? Then bam. Saw the headline.
At first, I thought it was fake. Couldn’t be real. Kobe? Nah. Had to be one of those stupid internet hoaxes. So, I started digging. Flipped through different news sites, checked feeds, everything. But the story wasn’t changing. It was everywhere. And then the details started coming out… about Gianna… and the others. Just gut-wrenching.
Processing It All
It hit hard. Really hard. Felt like a punch to the stomach. Kobe wasn’t just some basketball player to me, and I know I’m not alone in feeling that way. He was part of the background noise of life for so long. You watched him grow up, dominate, win championships, retire. Felt like you knew the guy, even though you obviously didn’t.
So, what did I do? Honestly, I just kinda sat there for a while. Numb. Then, I did what millions probably did. I went looking for old clips.
- That shot against the Suns.
- The 81-point game.
- The final game, dropping 60.
- Even just interviews, hearing him talk about his process.
Spent a good chunk of the day just watching that stuff. Not really analyzing the plays, more just… remembering. Remembering the feeling of watching him live. The intensity. That “Mamba Mentality” thing people talk about. It wasn’t just a catchphrase. You saw it. The guy was relentless.
Thinking About Stuff
Watching him again, especially knowing how it ended, made me think. A lot. About time, about how fast it all goes. About what you leave behind. He wasn’t just about basketball. He was building something else after retiring. Movies, books, coaching Gigi. It felt like he was just getting started on that second act.
It’s a tough reminder, right? Don’t wait. Do the things you want to do. Put in the work. Be there for your family. Sounds simple, almost cliché, but seeing someone like him, who seemed invincible, snatched away like that… it makes those simple things feel heavy. Important.
So yeah. That was my process. Started with shock, disbelief. Moved to checking the facts. Then just spending time with the memories, watching the highlights. And finally, just sitting with the thoughts it brought up. It’s sad. Just incredibly sad. But looking back at his dedication, his drive? That part’s still inspiring. A complicated legacy, maybe, but the work ethic? That’s something you can always learn from. Still hard to believe he’s gone. R.I.P. Mamba.
