Yesterday Kobe announced he had returned to the court to shoot for the first time since having surgery to repair his torn rotator cuff. Today, Kobe celebrates his 37th birthday. I have a feeling before he finds his way to a slice of cake and some gifts to unwrap, he’ll also find his way to a gym to get up more shots. This, more than anything, would seem like be the Kobe thing to do.
When training camp opens in the next month or so, it will be the beginning of his 20th season in the league. Twenty. Years. I get tired just thinking of this number, knowing the day-in, day-out work that’s gone into making him the player he’s been over that period.
Kobe’s greatest legacy, for me at least, isn’t the championship rings. It’s not his status as one the game’s all-time best players. For me, Kobe’s legacy is, despite his wonderful physical gifts and his bloodlines tying him to the league, how he maximized all that talent to reach his ceiling as a player. One can argue if he could have done things differently or played a different way, but one cannot argue he got the most out of his ability to become the most skilled version of himself he could become.
For a player of his considerable gifts, this is the achievement from which all others originate. And it begins with the work he’s put in. That work, of course, continues. And thank goodness for that. Because, one day, he will no longer want to put in that work and, when that happens, he will call it a career. I’ve a feeling that day will come as soon as at the end of this season, but at least we’ll get one more run.
That’s looking too far ahead for me, though. For now, I just want to enjoy Kobe for the player he is, the player he’s been, and for the last fantastic moments he’ll surely provide this year. On that note, here’s a clip of Kobe plays from his career I’ve always appreciated. Happy Birthday, Kobe. Don’t work too hard today.
Paula Cavy says
I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday Kobe. God Bless you and your family.
CHearn says
Artistry, dance, and beautiful string music. Happy birthday, Kobe Bean Bryant. I’m sure you saw the sun rise this morning during your workout. You’ll celebrate your cake day with the kids and wife, all the while mentally running plays. My hope is that your passion, energy, and will to win is inherited by Clarkson, Russel, and Randle et al.
#LakersPride
Happy birthday!
kobe says
Thanks
Mid-Wilshire says
Happy Birthday, Kobe.
I wish you a year of success, happiness, and health…and many years after that filled with the same. You’re provided your fans (including this one) with extraordinary moments of brilliance on the court. I thank you for that, for the championships, and for extraordinary memories.
I wish you a very Happy Birthday.
pat oslon says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOBE BEAN BRYANT!
Everclearian says
We’re all going to miss this player when he’s gone.
His brilliance and mastery of the game – like all of the greats – will gain appreciation over time. Right now it’s clouded with jealousy, young children, and the last two underwhelming years of his career. But as time passes, as LeBron fades into mediocrity, and Curry, Harden, Westbrook, and even Durant slide away into just being “pretty damn good” (i.e. Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, etc.), it will just be Kobe and Duncan alone that defined this generation of basketball and raised it to new heights.
When even MJ himself says he respects Kobe more than any other player and admits he would probably lose to Kobe 1-on-1, you have to just let history do it’s thing and prove who the greats are.
Kobe belongs on everyone’s “Mount Rushmore”.