A Letter to Kobe

One of my favorite commercials is for the Nike Kobe System that Kanye West has a cameo in. “What the fuck does that mean, Kobe Bryant?” uttered West during his appearance in the commercial, in response to Bryant asking if he was a "Different animal, but the same beast?" Both West and Bryant are widely considered total geniuses and masters of their crafts.

Sunday morning, I got some life-altering news that urged me to say exactly what Kanye West had - “What the fuck does that mean, Kobe Bryant?”

One of my superheroes. One of my biggest inspirations. One of the main reasons I fell in love with the game of basketball. Kobe Bean Bryant, his daughter Gianna Marie, and seven others died in a fatal helicopter accident. Maybe it’s a bad dream that I’ll wake up from soon?

It’s taken me two entire days to even begin to find the words to write this piece. The sky became gloomy and all of Los Angeles seemed to have a heavy heart for those that lost their lives as well as their families.

Kobe, you came into the league a 17-year old young man and left it a father and husband. You overcame adversity from injuries to teammate feuds - you literally could NOT lose in life. I admire you so much for your Mamba Mentality. It didn’t matter to you if you made any friends on the court, you just wanted to win.

My earliest memories came because my dad actually hated you. I think your arrogance and the way you always backed it up on the court made him jealous. You were so great that you forced people to love to hate you. People enjoyed rooting against you and seeing you lose more than seeing their own team win.

Seeing you win the NBA Finals against Dwight Howard and the Magic and then doing it again against Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo was so inspiring to me. I went out to my backyard dressed in Kobe gear from head-to-toe and tried shooting turn arounds just like you. The way you used to dismantle dudes out there on the court all 48 minutes gave me a hunger beyond imagination.

I even remember you hit the fall away three fading from right to left over MY Dwyane Wade! I couldn’t stand you for that Kob! I knew we had gotten a win over y’all and I was just about to start bragging. But I’ll always give you your respect as being ahead of Wade in the best shooting guards of all-time debate. I even debate about you being the best ever.

Your Farewell Tour was the most bittersweet season I’ve witnessed behind Dwyane Wade’s last season. I will never forget where I was when I was watching your last game against the Utah Jazz. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The seemingly washed version of Kobe, who was just a shell of himself was STILL capable of dropping 60 points and leading his team to a victory. I cried off and on all day when I found out. By far, this is the most difficult death for me to deal with that wasn’t someone in my family. I still don’t want to believe you and Gigi are gone. She was built totally different and was going to carry on your legacy.

I’ve prayed for your family, friends and everyone involved nonstop. I really hope God is hearing me.

I got to watch you play once against the young Warriors and you dropped a light 30 points. I never got to meet you but I love you. I love you for all that you have taught me - all without saying a word to me.

Rest easy Bean, Gigi, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan.

With love, Hunter Patterson - Mamba out!